Aegis

Asthma is relatively common among the population in Sweden, but even more common among those who practice endurance training in the cold, such as cross-country skiers. Can the use of heat and moisture exchange (HME) mask be the solution to prevent this "occupational injury" among elite skiers?

Background

The cause of the high incidence is believed to be repeated and prolonged inhalation of cold dry air which eventually damages the trachea and causes asthma.

The hypothesis is that regular use of HME in training in the cold can prevent the onset of airway damage and asthma in cross-country skiers. In patients with asthma, HME can effectively relieve exercise induced asthma triggered by the cold.

However, there is a lack of knowledge if regular use of HME in training in the cold can prevent the occurrence of respiratory conditions and asthma in healthy persons and whether HME affects the physical performance of elite athletes and in which way.

Objectives

The functionality of HME and the effects of using HME in regular and intense cold air exposure will be studied by measuring cross-country skiers performance and biomarkers for airway damage and immune system. The aim is to reduce the development of asthma in cross-country skiers.

The project includes primary prevention of disease and if the project succeeds in preventing asthma in elite skiers in cross-country skiing, the results may also be of use to other groups, such as professionals who work in the cold.