Pulmonary Function Decay In Women Ice Hockey Players: Is There a Relationship to Ice Rink Air Quality?

Abstract

Fossil-fueled ice rink resurfacing machines emit high levels of ultrafine and fine particulate matter (PM₁) and may be related to asthmalike symptoms in skaters. We examined PM₁ exposure and airway status in elite women ice hockey players over 4 training years. Lung function, asthma symptoms, and rink PM₁ were evaluated. Pre- and postexercise spirometry was performed on 14 female hockey players and 9 female control nordic skiers 4 times over 4 yr. Baseline lung functions were normalized to height cubed (Ht³) and recalculated to subject mean height (1.69 m) to evaluate change. Venue CO, NO₂, and PM₁ were measured. Training history for hockey players included 2 yr in a low-[PM₁] rink, followed by transition to high-[PM₁] fossil fuel machine resurfaced rinks; [PM₁] for control ski venue was low. [CO] and [NO₂] were acceptable at all venues. Controls showed no baseline function change over 4 yr. For hockey players, 1997 lung function values at the low-[PM₁] venue were significantly higher than 2001 high-[PM₁] venue values (p < .05); decay per year between 1997 and 2001 was greater for FEF₂₅₋₇₅ (251 ± 185, 83 ± 40, 109 ± 58, 109 ± 187 ml yr⁻¹, mean ± SD for FEF₂₅₋₇₅, FVC, FEV1, PEF, respectively; p < .05). No relationships between baseline lung functions and airway hyperresponsiveness or symptoms were identified. Five of 9 controls had symptoms, and 10 of 14 subjects had symptoms. This preliminary study suggests [PM₁] is related to airway function decay in ice rink athletes.