exercise challenge are not as substantial as the initial trial; however, other factors such as allergens and air pollutants can cause the refractory period to become obsolete because of the hyperreactivity of the airways (Smith & LaBotz, 1998; Tan & Spector, 1998). Common symptoms of EIA include, but are not limited to, chest tightness, shortness of breath, fatigue, coughing, and wheezing. Less common symptoms include stomachache, headache, muscle cramps, and the feeling of being “out of shape” (Enright, 1996; Randolph, 1997; Storms, 1999; Tan & Spector, 1998). These symptoms typically emerge after 8-10 minutes of strenuous exercise and continue for up to one hour after exercise has ceased. The severity of the symptoms again depends on the duration, intensity, and volume of exercise. With increased exposure to allergens and air pollutants, bronchial reactivity is increased, causing more severe bronchospasm. Good conditioning and aerobic fitness, along with proper medications, can greatly lessen the effect of EIA. This is due to the fact that conditioned athletes and those who exercise regularly do not have rapid and abrupt increases in respiratory rate, which is a cause of EIA (Tan & Spector, 1998). Diagnosis of EIA is determined through spirometry measurements of peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) before and after an exercise challenge. For all possible cases of EIA a complete family and personal history must be obtained prior to testing. Sometimes the history is enough to make a diagnosis, but, in some cases, especially those of athletes, spirometry testing must be done. In the case of PEFR and FEV1, a fall of 10%-15% from the resting rate is diagnostic of EIA (Enright, 1996). The methods of testing through an exercise challenge include free running, treadmill, and cycle ergometer (Enright, 1996; Randolph, 1997; Tan & Spector, 1998). In a free runni...
