Authors

Katie Shaffer

Document Type

Honors Project

First Advisor

Dr. Barbara Long

Degree Award Date

Spring 2003

Keywords

"Return to play", asthmatic athlete, self-reports, pulse oximetry, peak flow readings

Disciplines

Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment | Investigative Techniques | Rehabilitation and Therapy | Respiratory System | Respiratory Therapy

Abstract

Asthma and exercise-induced bronchospasm affects more than 10 percent, an estimated 17.7 million Americans, of the general population (Canaday "Asthma"). A survey completed by the American Lung Association® discovered in 1999 4659 deaths associated with asthma ("American Lung Association® Fact Sheet: Asthma in Adults). Increasing numbers of athletes are participating with some pulmonary dysfunction. Exercise-induced asthma "affects 10-20% of athletes from high school to world-class level" (Kovan and Mackowiak 22). Athletic trainers are often the first to respond to breathing difficulties on the field. Currently, protocol for return to play is subjective and requires athletes to self-report their pulmonary function. This practice is problematic if the athlete i s not truthful or unaware of their current pulmonary function. This study is undertaken to determine the reliability of the self-reporting mechanism.

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