Respiratory symptoms perceived by sport sciences students vs. sedentary college students

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and asthma among students of Science of Physical Activity and Sport compared with a control group of sedentary college students. We also made a relation between these results to other factors related to lifestyle of students. METHOD: 400 students of Physical Activity and Sport and 200 students from other universities completed semi-structured questionnaire with questions regarding respiratory symptoms and lifestyle. RESULTS: The control group, women, students who practice endurance sports, swimmers, pool workers and smokers reported significantly (p<0.05) more respiratory symptoms than other type or population. Former smokers and passive smokers also perceived significant differences (p<0.05) in terms of respiratory symptoms. CONCLUSION: Physical inactivity, smoking, obesity, endurance sports and exposure to chemicals in swimming pools with chemical treatment of water are the main factors for the perception of respiratory symptoms in college population.