[Asthma among elite athletes].

The prevalence of asthma and exercise induced asthma increase in elite athletes of national and international level especially in endurance sports. Prolonged hyperventilation of dry or cold air and increased inhalation of pollutants or allergens could be an explanation. The subsequent airway inflammation which seems to regress in subjects quitting competition differs from classical asthma. This could represent a chronic adaptive response to exercise hyperventilation. With a proper treatment, asthma and exercise induced asthma are not a limiting factor for sport results, but the short and long term effects of exercise on intensive training athletes need further study. Moreover, a specific follow-up is needed in all individuals, asthmatic or not, training intensively.