Publication:

Comparison of exercise induced bronchospasm using peak expiratory flow rate in obese and non-obese young females

Background Obesity significantly alters respiratory mechanics, increasing susceptibility to Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm (EIB) a reversible airway constriction during or after physical activity which often limits exercise participation. This study aimed to compare EIB prevalence and severity using Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) between obese and non-obese young females.

Methods This comparative experimental study involved 60 female participants (age >19 years), divided into two cohorts based on Body Mass Index (BMI): Group A (Obese, n=30) and Group B (Non-obese, n=30). Pulmonary function was measured via PEFR at baseline and immediately following a standardized 400-meter run to identify airway obstruction consistent with EIB.

Results Post-exercise, the obese group exhibited a substantial decline in lung function, with mean PEFR dropping from 373.1 L/min to 342 L/min (an 8.3% decrease). Conversely, the non-obese group showed minimal change, moving from 388.8 L/min to 375.2 L/min (a 3.5% decrease). Notably, 40% of obese participants met the diagnostic criteria for EIB, compared to only 10% of the non-obese cohort.

Conclusions EIB is significantly more prevalent and severe in obese young females. These findings suggest that respiratory symptoms often attributed to general deconditioning in obese individuals may actually stem from underlying EIB. Addressing this airway hyper-responsiveness is crucial for improving physical activity tolerance in this population.