http://worldcat.org/entity/work/id/137210844

Influence of Heat and Humidity on the Bronchospastic Response to Exercise in Asthma

Results are reported of a study on the bronchospastic response of 8 asthmatics who exercised while breathing air under 4 conditions: (1) ambient room temperature and water content; (2) body temperature and ambient water content; (3) ambient room temperature fully saturated; and (4) body temperature fully saturated. These test conditions were performed in random order. Multiple aspects of pulmonary mechanics were measured before and 5 minutes after exercise. When air at ambient conditions was inhaled, the expected airway obstruction developed post-exercise and all variables changed significantly from their pre-challenge values. Heating the air to body temperature did not influence this response. Increasing the humidity at ambient temperatures signifcantly blunted the response and body temperature fully saturated air completely prevented from occurring. Thus, the water content of inspired air is an important variable in the development of exercise-induced asthma. (Author).

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