NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Hot weather andpollution will pose a challenge to the Olympic athletes competingin Beijing this month, especially the substantial proportion ofthem who suffer from exercise-induced asthma.

In this condition, also called exercise-inducedbronchoconstriction, a person’s airways tighten up in response tophysical exertion. People who have the condition may or may nothave asthma as well. About 1 in 5 top athletes are believed to haveexercise-induced asthma, according to the American Academy ofAllergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), as do 1 in 6 of allOlympic athletes.

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