Changes in Pulmonary Function and Feasibility of Portable Continuous Laryngoscopy During Maximal Uphill Running

Objective: To evaluate changes in pulmonary function and feasibility of portable continuous laryngoscopy during maximal uphill running.

Methods: Healthy volunteers participated in an uphill race. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were obtained before and 5 and 10 min after finishing the race. Capillary blood lactate concentration ([BLa]) and Borg score for perceived exertion were registered immediately after the race. One participant wore a portable video-laryngoscope during the race, and the video was assessed for technical performance.

Results: Twenty adult subjects participated with a mean (SD) age of 40.2 (9.7) years. Mean (SD) race duration and post-exercise [BLa] was 13.9 (2.3) min and 10.7 (2.1) mmol/L, respectively, and the median (range) Borg score for perceived exertion was 9 (5-10). Mean percentage change (95% CI) 5 and 10 min post-exercise in FEV were 6.9 (3.7 to 10.2) % and 5.9 (2.7 to 9.0) %, respectively, and in FVC 5.2 (2.3 to 8.1) % and 4.7 (1.6 to 7.9) %, respectively. The recorded video of the larynx was of good quality.

Conclusions: Maximal aerobic field exercise induced bronchodilatation in the majority of the healthy non-asthmatic participants. It is feasible to perform continuous video-laryngoscopy during heavy uphill exercise.