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Biomedical subjects

K D Fitch

Publications and source records attributed to K D Fitch.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1976

Asthma and athletic performance.

Exercise-induced asthma (EIA) is a manifestation of bronchial hyper-reactivity that poses a special problem for the asthmatic engaging in competitive and recreational sports. Recent Olympic successes by swimmers with asthma are not surprising in view of the lessened asthmogenicity of swimming. Neither the cause of EIA nor the reason why some forms of exercise have a greater propensity to provoke EIA is known. Preexercise prophylactic medication with selective beta 2-sympathomimetic agents or cromolyn sodium will reduce or abolish EIA in the majority of asthmatics if administered just before the event. Other agents are less effective or as yet not fully evaluated. With suitable control of exercise-induced asthma, asthmatics should not be unnecessarily restricted, and competitive sports or physical recreation can then occupy an identical role in their lives as it does for their non-asthmatic contemporaries.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Spirometric values for normal Perth children aged six to twelve years.

The purpose of this study was to construct tables and nomograms of spirometric norms for Perth children aged between six and 12 years. These norms were to be based on anthropometric measurements and age. A sample of 623 children was tested of which 556 were analysed and comprised 289 boys and 267 girls. All testing was carried out in the child's own school. The spirograms were recorded with a dry spirometer from which the FVC, FEV1, and FMF were measured. Correlation coefficients were established between each of these ventilatory parameters and anthropometric measurements of height, mass, arm span and age. The findings of the study revealed high correlations for both boys and girls between ventilatory parameters of FVC and FEV1 and height, mass, arm span and age. Moderately high correlations were found for both sexes between FMF and height, mass, arm span and age. Height correlated best with each of these ventilatory measures. It was also established that significant improvement in some correlations was obtained when anthropometric values were used in multiple correlation analysis. The use of height plus mass proved to be best when predicting FVC and FEV, for boys and girls, and for predicting FMF of girls. FMF for boys could be best predicted by using height alone. The limits of normality for ventilatory parameters of FVC, FEV1 and FMF were found to be best defined by the per cent standard error of the estimate. Tables and nomograms were established from regression and multiple regression equations in order to predict normal values in children. The findings of this study revealed that little difference existed between the ventilatory values of children tested in Perth, Europe and the Eastern States of Australia. However, the differences that were found to exist could be due to the age group which was sampled or possible environmental and genetic differences.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1976

Effects of swimming training on children with asthma.

In a programme to examine the effect of 5 months of swimming training on school-children with asthma, 46 children swam a total distance of 3608 km (2242 miles) during 2806 training sessions. On post-training re-examination, nonspecific effects of physical conditioning were detected including improved posture and fitness, reduced fat folds, and enhanced swimming ability. Continuous monitoring of asthma and medication showed significant decreases in both parameters during the final phases of the study between children who continued to swim regularly and those who did not. The frequency and severity of exercise-induced asthma (after running) was unchanged by swimming training. Post-training questionnaires indicated a high degree of enthusiasm and acceptance of the programme by children and parents. No significant adverse effects were observed or reported during the study.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

Comparative aspects of available exercise systems.

Comparative studies have demonstrated that running is the greatest stimulus to exercise-induced asthma (EIA) and is the preferred laboratory test model to examine EIA and its modifications. Swimming provokes least EIA and is the exercise of choice for asthmatics. The frequency and magnitude of EIA produced by running is not altered by regular swimming training.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

Exercise-induced asthma and competitive athletics.

Although swimming is their optimum sport and exercise, asthmatics should be encouraged to embrace a full and varied program of sport and physical education. Sports exclusion should be infrequent as possible. Pre-exercise cromolyn sodium with significantly reduce exercise-induced asthma (EIA) and salbutamol may be administered pre-exercise should EIA supervene. "Warm-up" is recommended. The current ruling which classes selective beta2-adrenocepter agonists as doping agents in sports should be rescinded.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1971

Specificity of exercise in exercise-induced asthma.

Ventilatory function after three types of exercise-running, cycling, and swimming-was studied in 10 control subjects and 40 asthmatic patients. All performed eight minutes of submaximal aerobic exercise during each of the programmes, which were conducted in a randomly selected order. Biotelemetric monitoring of heart rates was used to equate the intensity of the exertion undertaken during the three systems of exercise. No control subject showed any significant variation in ventilatory capacity after exercise, and the responses after the three forms of exercise did not differ.In asthmatics exercise-induced asthma was observed after 72.5% of running tests, 65% of cycling tests, and 35% of swimming tests. In addition, those patients who developed exercise-induced asthma after swimming were noted to have significantly smaller falls in FEV(1) levels than were recorded after running and cycling. These results were statistically significant (P <0.01).The unexplained aetiology of increased airways resistance after exercise in asthmatics is discussed. This study indicates that swimming should be recommended in preference to running or cycling as an exercise programme for adults and children with asthma.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The use of anti-asthmatic drugs. Do they affect sports performance?

Recent major advances in pharmacological management have provided asthmatics with a satisfactory range of drugs to control asthma. These include sodium cromoglycate (cromolyn sodium), H1-antagonists, belladonna alkaloids, methyl xanthines, glucocorticoids and beta 2-adrenoceptor stimulants. Despite the tendency for most asthmatics to develop bronchoconstriction after exercise, sport and physical activity are now accepted as valuable in the overall management of patients with asthma. Thus, control of exercise-induced asthma (EIA) is essential, if asthmatics are to participate safely in physical activity and without respiratory disadvantage in competitive sport. Fortunately, inhibition or minimization of exercise-induced asthma may be achieved in most asthmatics by pre-exercise aerosol beta 2-agonists supplemented if necessary by sodium cromoglycate and/or theophylline. Regular medication as required to attain and maintain normal ventilatory function throughout each day is the objective in all patients with asthma and appears to be a prerequisiste to control exercise-induced asthma. The introduction of anti-doping controls into high performance sport has presented added difficulties for the asthmatic athlete. Although not always so, currently all of the classes of drugs previously noted are acceptable for the treatment of asthma and exercise-induced asthma. Anomalies may exist in the banning of 2 beta 2-adrenoceptor agonists, fenoterol and orciprenaline (metaproterenol). All sympathomimetic amines with alpha- or predominantly beta-stimulation are banned. The perpetuation of the need to report the use of beta 2-agonists prior to competition appears unnecessary. Although relatively little specific research has been undertaken, there is minimal evidence to suggest that asthmatics can derive any additional ergogenic advantage from medication to control asthma and exercise-induced asthma. beta 2-agonists, sodium cromoglycate and glucocorticoids administered by the aerosol route are not considered to be ergogenic. Some doubts have been raised concerning theophylline and its enhancement of both cardiac and respiratory muscle function. Investigations as to the validity of the suggestion that theophylline could augment physical performance appear warranted. It is reported that some athletes may be unnecessarily taking oral and perhaps parenteral glucocorticoids to obtain certain side effects. Any decision to ban these agents except for aerosol or local use could be supported.

Adult↗