Imai, T., Miyakawa, S. & Watanabe, K. (2013). Prevalence of respiratory symptoms among judo athletes compared with swimmers. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 45(5), Supplement abstract number 1121.

Prevalence of exercised-induced bronchospasm (EIB) among Olympic athletes has been reported to be as much as five times greater than that of the general population. Judo is one of the Olympic events and played all over the ages, involving throw and ground techniques on the mat. Therefore, Judo athletes may inhale or contact with more allergens rising from the mat, whereas the prevalence of respiratory symptoms among judo athletes has not been examined.

This study examined the prevalence of respiratory symptoms among college judo athletes (N = 46) and to compare with those of collegiate swimmers (N = 22). The history of respiratory symptoms, pulmonary functions including forced expiratory volume in one second as percent of FVC by spirometer and fraction of exhaled nitric oxide by a portable NINOX MINO were obtained. Additionally, the respiratory resistance at 5Hz, frequency of resonance, and low-frequency reactance area were measured by using a forced oscillation technique.

Weight and body mass index of judo athletes were significantly higher than those of swimmers. As to the history, 32.6% of judo athletes experienced asthma and 58.7% had allergies, while 22.7% swimmers had asthma and 54.5% with allergy. Both groups revealed exhaled nitric oxide values within the normal limits and similar forced expiratory volume in one second values. Respiratory resistances, such as frequency of resonance and low-frequency reactance area were significantly higher in judo athletes than swimmers.

Implication. College judoists have a relatively high prevalence of respiratory symptoms similar to swimmers.

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