%Start Exercise-Induced Asthma Test: What to Expect Health ConditionsFeaturedBreast CancerIBD MigraineMultiple Sclerosis (MS)Rheumatoid ArthritisType 2 DiabetesSponsored TopicsArticlesAcid RefluxADHDAllergiesAlzheimer's & DementiaBipolar DisorderCancerCrohn's DiseaseChronic PainCold & FluCOPDDepressionFibromyalgiaHeart DiseaseHigh CholesterolHIVHypertensionIPFOsteoarthritisPsoriasisSkin Disorders and CareSTDsDiscoverWellness TopicsNutritionFitnessSkin CareSexual HealthWomen's HealthMental HealthSleepOriginal SeriesFresh Food FastDiagnosis DiariesYou’re Not AlonePresent TenseVideo SeriesYouth in FocusHealthy HarvestNo More SilenceFuture of HealthPlanHealth ChallengesMindful EatingSugar SavvyMove Your BodyGut HealthMood FoodsAlign Your SpineFind CarePrimary CareMental HealthOB-GYNDermatologistsNeurologistsCardiologistsOrthopedistsLifestyle QuizzesWeight ManagementAm I Depressed? A Quiz for TeensAre You a Workaholic?How Well Do You Sleep?Tools & ResourcesHealth NewsFind a DietFind Healthy SnacksDrugs A-ZHealth A-ZConnectFind Your Bezzy CommunityBreast CancerInflammatory Bowel DiseasePsoriatic ArthritisMigraineMultiple SclerosisPsoriasisFollow us on social mediaShopProducts by ConditionInsomniaStress ReliefBack PainNeck PainSleep ApneaHot SleepersAllergiesPain ReliefProduct ReviewsVitamins & SupplementsSleepMental HealthNutritionAt-Home TestingCBDMen’s HealthWomen’s HealthHealth ConditionsDiscoverPlanConnectShopSubscribe
What to Expect from an Exercise-Induced Asthma Test
Medically reviewed by Thomas Johnson, PA-C — By Tamera Clifton, CPT on October 18, 2022Share on PinterestGetty Images/mihailomilovanovicEven if you’ve never received a diagnosis of asthma, you may experience certain symptoms during exercise. How can you know whether the breathlessness you feel when you work out is typical or a sign of a bigger issue, such as exercise-induced asthma?
thumb_upLike (40)
commentReply (0)
shareShare
visibility597 views
thumb_up40 likes
E
Elijah Patel Member
access_time
10 minutes ago
Sunday, 04 May 2025
Your first step will likely be to consult a healthcare professional and share the symptoms you’re concerned about. They may then want to test you for exercise-induced asthma.
thumb_upLike (50)
commentReply (2)
thumb_up50 likes
comment
2 replies
J
James Smith 2 minutes ago
Here’s what you can expect from the process, from testing to diagnosis.
What is exercise-induc...
E
Ella Rodriguez 6 minutes ago
It can be a concern for athletes at all levels, whether they have conventional asthma or not. Sympto...
E
Evelyn Zhang Member
access_time
9 minutes ago
Sunday, 04 May 2025
Here’s what you can expect from the process, from testing to diagnosis.
What is exercise-induced asthma
Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), or exercise-induced asthma, is not uncommon.
thumb_upLike (30)
commentReply (2)
thumb_up30 likes
comment
2 replies
G
Grace Liu 5 minutes ago
It can be a concern for athletes at all levels, whether they have conventional asthma or not. Sympto...
H
Harper Kim 1 minutes ago
How do you know whether you have EIB or whether your symptoms are typical of someone at your level o...
J
Joseph Kim Member
access_time
8 minutes ago
Sunday, 04 May 2025
It can be a concern for athletes at all levels, whether they have conventional asthma or not. Symptoms include tightness in the chest, difficulty breathing, and coughing while engaging in physical activity. This narrowing of the airway during exercise can affect up to 90% of people with asthma and up to 20% of those without.
thumb_upLike (4)
commentReply (0)
thumb_up4 likes
S
Sebastian Silva Member
access_time
5 minutes ago
Sunday, 04 May 2025
How do you know whether you have EIB or whether your symptoms are typical of someone at your level of cardiovascular fitness? Coughing is probably the biggest signal, as shortness of breath commonly occurs during or after strenuous exercise. If you find yourself coughing during physical exertion, it may be a good idea to ask a healthcare professional about testing for exercise-induced asthma.
thumb_upLike (38)
commentReply (1)
thumb_up38 likes
comment
1 replies
L
Liam Wilson 3 minutes ago
How is EIB diagnosed
Diagnosing EIB can be tricky, and healthcare professionals often misd...
M
Mason Rodriguez Member
access_time
24 minutes ago
Sunday, 04 May 2025
How is EIB diagnosed
Diagnosing EIB can be tricky, and healthcare professionals often misdiagnose it when assessment is based solely on symptoms. A healthcare professional may use a variety of direct and indirect tests to determine a diagnosis.
Spirometry at rest
This test, which measures how much air your lungs take in and release and how quickly air can be forced out of your lungs, is often performed first to rule out underlying chronic asthma and get a baseline value for your respiration.
thumb_upLike (32)
commentReply (0)
thumb_up32 likes
H
Harper Kim Member
access_time
7 minutes ago
Sunday, 04 May 2025
But the results will often be normal since the test is performed at rest. This test is useful in conjunction with tests for exercise conditions but is less accurate and useful for diagnosing EIB when used alone.
thumb_upLike (30)
commentReply (2)
thumb_up30 likes
comment
2 replies
D
Daniel Kumar 3 minutes ago
Exercise challenge testing
This testing method, which is a bronchial provocation test, invo...
A
Aria Nguyen 5 minutes ago
Pulmonary function testing
This test, which healthcare professionals do not always perform,...
D
David Cohen Member
access_time
16 minutes ago
Sunday, 04 May 2025
Exercise challenge testing
This testing method, which is a bronchial provocation test, involves exercising at various intensities in a controlled environment. Healthcare professionals measure your heart rate and respiration throughout, as well as during recovery, to assess working and resting ventilation.
thumb_upLike (21)
commentReply (3)
thumb_up21 likes
comment
3 replies
A
Andrew Wilson 16 minutes ago
Pulmonary function testing
This test, which healthcare professionals do not always perform,...
G
Grace Liu 9 minutes ago
Be sure to eat a meal 2 hours before your test. If you regularly take asthma medications, you’ll n...
This test, which healthcare professionals do not always perform, includes allergy testing to rule out possible airborne causes of a cough and any other respiratory symptoms.
How should I prepare for testing
You can prepare for testing by going to your appointment well rested, free of caffeine, and ready to exercise at a moderate to high intensity for a short time.
thumb_upLike (11)
commentReply (3)
thumb_up11 likes
comment
3 replies
D
Daniel Kumar 21 minutes ago
Be sure to eat a meal 2 hours before your test. If you regularly take asthma medications, you’ll n...
M
Mason Rodriguez 26 minutes ago
After this, they will likely direct you to exercise at a moderate pace for up to 20 minutes while th...
Be sure to eat a meal 2 hours before your test. If you regularly take asthma medications, you’ll need to stop taking them at least 24 hours before testing. On testing day, your doctor will likely start with spirometry to test your general lung function.
thumb_upLike (30)
commentReply (3)
thumb_up30 likes
comment
3 replies
J
James Smith 4 minutes ago
After this, they will likely direct you to exercise at a moderate pace for up to 20 minutes while th...
H
Harper Kim 10 minutes ago
They may also ask you to wear electrode stickers to measure your heart rate via electrocardiogram. F...
After this, they will likely direct you to exercise at a moderate pace for up to 20 minutes while they measure your heart rate and respiration. You’ll most likely have to wear a mouthpiece and a nose clip so that you breathe only from your mouth.
thumb_upLike (17)
commentReply (2)
thumb_up17 likes
comment
2 replies
S
Scarlett Brown 45 minutes ago
They may also ask you to wear electrode stickers to measure your heart rate via electrocardiogram. F...
A
Andrew Wilson 31 minutes ago
When you’ve finished the exercise portion of the test, they’ll observe your symptoms as you reco...
N
Natalie Lopez Member
access_time
24 minutes ago
Sunday, 04 May 2025
They may also ask you to wear electrode stickers to measure your heart rate via electrocardiogram. Finally, you may wear a pulse oximeter on your finger to measure your blood oxygen levels. The medical team administering the test will watch for coughing, wheezing, and other symptoms you may experience while exercising.
thumb_upLike (18)
commentReply (2)
thumb_up18 likes
comment
2 replies
O
Oliver Taylor 2 minutes ago
When you’ve finished the exercise portion of the test, they’ll observe your symptoms as you reco...
K
Kevin Wang 7 minutes ago
Depending on the findings, your doctor may allow you to resume your usual activity level, perhaps wi...
L
Luna Park Member
access_time
26 minutes ago
Sunday, 04 May 2025
When you’ve finished the exercise portion of the test, they’ll observe your symptoms as you recover, noting which symptoms disappear and how quickly. Your doctor may give you a bronchodilator medication to see whether your symptoms and airflow improve.
thumb_upLike (38)
commentReply (3)
thumb_up38 likes
comment
3 replies
M
Mason Rodriguez 8 minutes ago
Depending on the findings, your doctor may allow you to resume your usual activity level, perhaps wi...
M
Mia Anderson 9 minutes ago
They may also prescribe other medications for use at different points before or during exercise. If ...
Depending on the findings, your doctor may allow you to resume your usual activity level, perhaps with some modifications, or may prescribe medication or other treatment options.
How is EIB treated
If you receive a diagnosis of EIB, your treatment may include non-medication strategies to manage your symptoms, such as warming up for 15 minutes before exercise, using a face mask or scarf to warm the air you breathe, and avoiding pollutants. If these approaches are not enough to manage EIB, healthcare professionals may prescribe a number of medications, such as short-acting beta-agonist medications like albuterol.
thumb_upLike (3)
commentReply (0)
thumb_up3 likes
A
Audrey Mueller Member
access_time
15 minutes ago
Sunday, 04 May 2025
They may also prescribe other medications for use at different points before or during exercise. If you have chronic asthma and have received an EIB diagnosis, treatment options will likely focus on better managing the underlying asthma. Your treatment plan will be based on your individual needs and diagnosis, and your medical team will be the best resource to find out what that plan might entail.
thumb_upLike (14)
commentReply (0)
thumb_up14 likes
J
Joseph Kim Member
access_time
80 minutes ago
Sunday, 04 May 2025
The bottom line
Exercise-induced asthma is a real condition that healthcare professionals can test for and treat. The test itself is relatively straightforward and can help your medical team determine whether you’re a candidate for medication. Knowing how to respond to your EIB can minimize or eliminate its effect on your fitness, comfort, and activity level.
thumb_upLike (32)
commentReply (1)
thumb_up32 likes
comment
1 replies
E
Ella Rodriguez 61 minutes ago
This condition is usually manageable, and testing and treatment can help you enjoy sports and activi...
S
Sebastian Silva Member
access_time
34 minutes ago
Sunday, 04 May 2025
This condition is usually manageable, and testing and treatment can help you enjoy sports and activities for a long time to come. Last medically reviewed on October 18, 2022
How we vetted this article
SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations.
thumb_upLike (46)
commentReply (0)
thumb_up46 likes
H
Hannah Kim Member
access_time
72 minutes ago
Sunday, 04 May 2025
We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Aggarwal B, et al.
(n.d.). chp.edu/our-services/pulmonology/patient-procedures/exercise-induced-asthma-testingGerow M, et al. (2021). Exercise induced asthma. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557554/Lammers N, et al.
thumb_upLike (44)
commentReply (1)
thumb_up44 likes
comment
1 replies
S
Sebastian Silva 24 minutes ago
(2019). Assessing exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in children; the need for testing. ncbi.n...
S
Sebastian Silva Member
access_time
44 minutes ago
Sunday, 04 May 2025
(2019). Assessing exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in children; the need for testing. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6498950/Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Current Version
Oct 18, 2022
By
Tamera Clifton, CPT
Edited By
Saralyn Ward
Medically Reviewed By
Thomas Johnson, PA-C
Copy Edited By
Jill Campbell
Share this articleMedically reviewed by Thomas Johnson, PA-C — By Tamera Clifton, CPT on October 18, 2022
Read this next
What You Need to Know About Exercise-Induced AsthmaMedically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M.D., MPH
Exercise-induced asthma is triggered by aerobic activity.
thumb_upLike (37)
commentReply (0)
thumb_up37 likes
H
Harper Kim Member
access_time
23 minutes ago
Sunday, 04 May 2025
Inhaling a lot of cold, dry air can cause swelling in the airways, making it difficult to…READ MORETypes of Asthma and How They Differ: Understanding Asthma ClassificationMedically reviewed by Raj Dasgupta, MD
Asthma classification is organized by the severity of your asthma symptoms and your results on lung function tests. Learn the types and subtypes.READ MOREComplications of AsthmaMedically reviewed by Adithya Cattamanchi, M.D.
thumb_upLike (26)
commentReply (3)
thumb_up26 likes
comment
3 replies
G
Grace Liu 3 minutes ago
Learn about asthma complications, what to do about them, and how to decrease your risk of developing...
M
Mason Rodriguez 17 minutes ago
People use it for livestock and horses. It’s…READ MOREThe Pros and Cons of Dry Powder Inhalers a...
Learn about asthma complications, what to do about them, and how to decrease your risk of developing them.READ MOREEverything You Need to Know About Monoclonal Antibodies (mAbs) for AsthmaMedically reviewed by Marc Meth, MD, FACAAI, FAAAI
Learn about new biologic treatments that help treat severe asthma or work as an add-on therapy to current treatment.READ MOREWhat Is Clenbuterol? Clenbuterol isn’t approved for use in the United States but is used in other countries to treat asthma.
thumb_upLike (37)
commentReply (3)
thumb_up37 likes
comment
3 replies
E
Ethan Thomas 24 minutes ago
People use it for livestock and horses. It’s…READ MOREThe Pros and Cons of Dry Powder Inhalers a...
C
Chloe Santos 106 minutes ago
Left untreated, an asthma cough can persist. Learn about symptoms and how they're treated.READ ...
People use it for livestock and horses. It’s…READ MOREThe Pros and Cons of Dry Powder Inhalers and How to Use Them Correctly
Your doctor may prescribe a dry powder inhaler to help relieve symptoms of asthma or COPD. Here's how they work and how to use them correctly.READ MOREHow ‘Veep’ Star Tony Hale Is Helping Others with Asthma Breathe Easier
The Emmy-winning actor shares how living with asthma helped him play the beloved characters he’s famous for, and why he wants others living with the…READ MOREWhen to Consider Using a Wheelchair for Severe Asthma
While they're not commonly used for asthma, wheelchairs can help people with severe symptoms get around easier.READ MOREAsthma Cough
Coughing is one symptom of asthma.
thumb_upLike (20)
commentReply (0)
thumb_up20 likes
E
Ethan Thomas Member
access_time
78 minutes ago
Sunday, 04 May 2025
Left untreated, an asthma cough can persist. Learn about symptoms and how they're treated.READ MORE*clone Market VIP* The 11 Best Mattresses for Lower Back Pain in 2022Medically reviewed by Gregory Minnis, DPT
These 11 picks are some of the best mattresses for lower back pain.
thumb_upLike (43)
commentReply (0)
thumb_up43 likes
C
Christopher Lee Member
access_time
54 minutes ago
Sunday, 04 May 2025
Offering medium-firm support, they’ll help keep you aligned and rested.READ MORE
thumb_upLike (13)
commentReply (3)
thumb_up13 likes
comment
3 replies
A
Audrey Mueller 27 minutes ago
Exercise-Induced Asthma Test: What to Expect Health ConditionsFeaturedBreast CancerIBD MigraineMulti...
V
Victoria Lopez 2 minutes ago
Your first step will likely be to consult a healthcare professional and share the symptoms you’re ...