Abstract des Autors

Most asthmatics will experience an episode of asthma induced by exercise. Although the cause of exercise-induced asthma (EIA) is still unknown it is thought that it is triggered by drying and cooling of the airways during the humidification and warming of the inspired air. Breathing through the nose reduces the amount of fluid and heat lost from the deeper airways thus reducing the EIA. When the amount of air that could be inhaled through the nose (mean = 69.6 l/min), during a maximum voluntary ventilation procedure, was compared to that inhaled through the mouth (mean = 164.8 l/min) it was found that more than twice (2.37 times) as much air could be inspired through the mouth. These data indicate that while asthmatics may benefit from the moistening effects of nasal breathing during exercise, activities requiring work rates greater than moderate intensity will necessitate switching to oronasal or oral breathing. Verf.-Referat