What Is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic, long-standing disease that affects the airway in the lungs. The airways become constricted and inflamed at the instances when symptoms are triggered, causing difficulty in breathing. Asthma affects people from all age groups and often starts from childhood. The reasons that trigger or worsen the symptoms are pollen, cold air, viral and bacterial infections, gastrointestinal acid reflux, smoking, obesity, stress, environmental factors, and excessive exercise. The person is said to have an "asthma attack" when the symptoms worsen to an extreme level. The things that stimulate the asthmatic attack are called "asthma triggers."
Symptoms of asthma are
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There is a weird kind of heaviness in the chest area.
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A person experiences persistent coughing, especially during the night or early morning.
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A hoarse hissing sound when a person breathes out is heard.
These symptoms are not acute in onset; they follow a pattern. The symptoms may last only for a day or may come and go on regular days. However, the severity of the symptoms is seen mostly in the early morning hours or at night. Asthma can be categorized into intermittent and persistent asthma. Persistent asthma can be further divided into mild, moderate, and severe.
What Is the Relationship Between Asthma And Ice Hockey Players?
While asthma can affect anyone regardless of age or sports activity, it has been observed that certain types of sports activity, especially ice hockey players, are more likely to develop the condition. Numerous studies have highlighted a higher prevalence of asthma among ice hockey players compared with the general population. This is thought to be due to various factors like genetic predisposition, environmental triggers, and intense physical demand for the sport. The cold, dry air commonly encountered during ice hockey matches and practices can also elaborate asthma symptoms. Additionally, exposure to ice resurfacing machines and cleaning chemicals in ice arenas can further irritate the lung airway, causing an increased risk of asthma.
In addition to this, for ice hockey players who already have asthma, the disease has an impact on performance as well. Given the physical demands of ice hockey, asthma can significantly affect the player. The symptoms associated with the condition, such as coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness, can reduce endurance and physical capabilities as a whole. With limited lung capacity and decreased oxygen intake, ice hockey players with asthma may experience difficulties in maintaining intensity throughout the game. This leads to decreased stamina and potentially affecting their overall contribution to the team. While childhood asthma is more prevalent in boys but has a greater inclination in females after puberty, asthma affects more female players than male players.
How Can Be Asthma Managed In Ice Hockey Players?
While asthma poses challenges for ice hockey players, effective management strategies can help reduce symptoms and improve overall performance.
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The first line of defense is proper diagnosis and treatment. Ice hockey players suspected of having asthma should undergo thorough assessments, including lung function tests, to confirm the diagnosis.
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Once diagnosed, a comprehensive asthma action plan should be developed in collaboration with healthcare professionals, coaches, and the player.
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Emergency medicine and drugs like bronchodilators (that help to relax the lungs to increase breathing efficiency), including inhalers and pumps, are commonly prescribed to manage asthma symptoms. These medications help to provide immediate relief during episodes. Preventive medication, such as inhaled steroids, can also be prescribed to control the underlying inflammation and reduce the occurrence and intensity of asthma attacks.
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Other than drug therapy, players with asthma should incorporate non-medicinal therapies to manage the condition. One important aspect is proper warm-up and cool-down routines before and after practices or games. Gradual and targeted warm-up exercises, including cardiovascular activities and dynamic stretches, can help prepare the airways for the physical demands of ice hockey while minimizing the risk of asthma exacerbation. On the other hand, a proper cooldown routine, including jogging or walking, helps to gradually decrease the heart rate and lung function back to baseline levels.
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Preventing exposure to the triggers is crucial in managing asthma, especially among ice hockey players. The use of inhalers before practice or games often referred to as 'pre-treating,' can help to reduce the risk of asthma symptoms triggered by cold and dry air. Wearing an appropriately fitted face mask or scarf and ensuring the proper amount of hydration can protect the airways from low temperatures and less humid air, hence maintaining proper moist air.
In case of an asthma attack, while playing, it is important to maintain calm around the suffering player, as any anxiety can exaggerate the symptoms more. The player in such a scenario should be made to sit upright, which will help him to maintain a positive airway passage and breathe easier. This should be followed by the emergency inhaler and loosening any tight gear or uniform. The player should be shifted to the emergency hospital care.
The indication of immediate admission to the hospital is that even after three administered doses of inhalers, the patient does not show signs of settling down. In such cases, the patients with life-threatening asthma are put on immediate oxygen support and systemic (affecting the whole body and not only the localized site ) steroids.
Conclusion-
Asthma is a prevalent condition among ice hockey players, which can negatively affect their performance and overall well-being. Understanding the triggers and properly managing asthma symptoms is crucial in allowing players to excel in their sport while maintaining optimum health. With a comprehensive approach, including medications, warm-up and cool-down exercises, and preventive strategies, ice hockey players with asthma can thrive on the ice rink and continue to pursue their passion for the game.
