The Free‐Running Asthma Screening Test: An Approach to Screening for Exercise‐Induced Asthma in Rural Alabama

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Abstract
This study documented the prevalence of exercise-induced asthma (bronchospasm) in rural elementary schools and described the use of a free-running asthma screening test (exercise-challenge) and peak expiratory flow rate measurement for screening in a school setting. Of 437 children screened, 25 (5.72%) had a ≥ 15% decrease in post-exercise peak expiratory flow rate which is indicative of exercise-induced asthma. Absenteeism and poverty were associated with findings of exercise-induced asthma. Early detection of exercise-induced asthma in school-age children through screening would facilitate early treatment, enhance exercise-related activities, and decrease school absences.