A Study on Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm Prevalence in Athletes

This report investigates the prevalence and impact of Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm (EIB) among college athletes, focusing on a sample of 196 athletes from Kansas University across eight sports teams during the 2014-2015 academic year. The study employed a descriptive clinical research design using self-report questionnaires, including a 5-point Likert scale, to assess EIB history, symptoms, and impact on athletic performance. The findings revealed that 56 athletes reported a history of EIB, with 93 reporting symptoms, and variations observed across different sports. Notably, 25% of athletes with a self-reported EIB history did not use medication, and 10% indicated that EIB affected their sports routine. The research highlights the need for increased awareness and management of EIB among college athletes, while acknowledging limitations such as the use of convenience sampling and self-report data. This report contributes to understanding respiratory health issues in sports and can be found with other solved assignments on Desklib.

Name:
Title: EIB prevalence among college students.
Institution Affiliation:
Date:

RESEARCH PROBLEM
The research problem was to study the prevalence of EIB and its apparent impact in
college athletes. The research hypothesis, objectives and methodology were designed to solve the
research problem or fulfil the purpose of the study.
LITETATURE REVIEW
The study’s literature review provides a summary of complete knowledge about EIB
among athletes. The review states that EIB may result in increased ailment and sometimes death
if not treated. Previous research indicate that EIB is prevalent among college athletes. Athletes’
EIB history or symptoms, however, are not associated with positive test results.
STUDY (CONCEPTUAL/THEORETICAL) FRAMEWORK
Theoretical framework was used in the study. The theoretical framework that support the
research argues that EIB leads to long-term respirational ailment and sometimes death. EIB is
rampant and occurs varyingly among college athletes. Athletes reach high cardiopulmonary
volume, this may result in hyper ventilation. Theory states that the gas tract epithelium on
sensing loss of water and heat causes the release of mediators that favor inflammation leading to
bronchoconstriction. (BONINI, 2008).
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS
. The research hypothesis states:
Null hypothesis: EIB is prevalent among college athletes
Alternative hypothesis: EIB is not prevalent among college athletes.
The objectives of the study were

1. To determine the EIB prevalence among college athletes.
2. To determine the history and symptoms of EIB among college athletes.
3. To determine the impact of EIB among college athletes.
STUDY DESIGN
Descriptive clinical research design was used in the study. The research involves the
study of human beings thus clinical. The study seeks to describe or summarize EIB prevalence
among college student sportspersons. One characteristic of descriptive research design is that it
uses preplanned questions so that results may be used to infer to the whole population. Sixteen
of the questionnaire questions had been earlier used in a study designed by the United States
Olympic Committee. Another characteristic of descriptive design is the use of closed questions.
Six question relating to EIB were to be answered using 5-point Likert scale. Descriptive data
analyses were used in the research.
POPULATION/SAMPLE
The study population was college athletes. The sample population were athletes from 8
sports teams namely volleyball, football, cross-country, swimming, women tennis women
basketball and swimming in Kansas University in 2014-2015 academic year. The total sample
population was 196 aged 18-21years and consisting of 56% male athletes. Convenience sampling
was used to obtain the sample.
The sample was however not representative of the population since convenience
sampling was used and only one college was used in the research. Moreover, not all sports were
included in the study.
METHODOLOGY/ MEASUREMENT

Questionnaire was the data collection tool used in the research. Measurement
methodology refers to observations and recording of data collected in a research. The research
used 5 Likert scale to quantify the answers results of the research questionnaire. A result above 2
was considered to be a positive result.
DATA COLLECTION
Self-report questionnaires were used to collect data. The questionnaires were issued and
explained to athlete trainers during normal training sessions. An informed consent was obtained
from participants before answering the questions in accordance to ethic requirements.
Data collected may however be subject to bias since self-report questionnaires were used
instead of actual EIB tests.
DATA ANALYSIS
Descriptive analysis was used in data analysis. Descriptive statistics are used to
significantly describe or summarize EIB prevalence and awareness among college athletes.
Descriptive statistics are divided into two major categories namely, measures of central
tendencies and measures of dispersion (George & Mallery, 2016). The mean which is a measure
of central tendency, was used to describe various independent variables under test that were used
to measure EIB prevalence and awareness. Bar graphs were utilized to graphical present the
prevalence of EIB among student athletes.
RESERCH FINDINGS/OUTCOMES
The research finding were:
 56 out of 196 of athletes stated that they had EIB history.

 EIB history varied significantly among sports.
 93 out of 196 students reported to have symptoms of EIB.
 102 of 196 students reported to a haves symptoms or history of EIB.
 Only 33% of athletes that did not have EIB history reported EIB symptoms.
 25% of participants that stated they had EIB history did not use medication.
 10% of the athletes stated that EIB was affecting their routine in sports.

REFERENCES
BONINI, S. (2008). EIB or Not EIB? That Is the Question. Medicine & Science In Sports & Exercise, 40(9),
1565-1566. doi: 10.1249/mss.0b013e31817d818b
George, D., & Mallery, P. (2016). Descriptive statistics. In IBM SPSS Statistics 23 Step by Step (pp. 126-
134). Routledge.