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TIL that asthma is the most common chronic illness among Olympians.
(allergyasthmanetwork.org)
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this post was submitted on 12 Aug 2024
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Hahahah, what a load of horseshit.
I had asthma as a child, and let me tell you, you can't do anything with asthma. It's like being allergic to the atmosphere -- basic exercise can trigger an attack and leave you useless and wheezing. Your cardiovascular capacity is shot.
Reading that these Olympians got gold medals while simultaneously having asthma is like hearing the champions at the shooting tournament were all blackout drunk.
Albuterol and other bronchodilators absolutely do increase your VO²Max if abused or taken by a non-athsmatic. Not in the lower ranges of respiratory function but in the 80-100% of VO²Max where elite athletes operate.
I don't dispute the doctor's claims that there are some cold weather sports with dry air that can mimick the symptoms of asthma, but an asthmatic Olympian/athlete beating someone without asthma (a debilitating respiratory illness) and taking the gold?
I'm calling bullshit. They outsmarted the anti-doping regulations, clean and simple. Wheeze into this box and you can raise your VO²Max during the competition. Anything for a win.
This is a common problem I've seen with people who have asthma, in that they believe that asthma is a one-size-fits-all deal with no variance. There are many different types of asthma. Just because you have exercise induced asthma does not mean everyone does.
Source: I have asthma and throughout my childhood/teenage years was very active and competitive (I was also a swimmer and took my fair share of 1st places).
I’ll second this, other I never took 1st place. I was a box to box midfielder
I didn't realize that the way you experienced asthma as a child was the one and only way that anyone, ever could experience asthma.
FYI, the woman who is currently attempting a round-the-world record by bike has terrible asthma.
I'm sure some athletes are abusing inhalers, but I'm also certain that there are a lot of elite athletes competing with asthma.
I have asthma and I can exercise just fine provided it’s not too cold out. It’s not a one size fits all disease.