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Research Article: Prevalence of self-reported asthma among female ice hockey players in the Swedish women's hockey league

Date Published: 2026-07-20

Abstract:
Asthma is common among athletes, particularly in winter sports, and can affect both health and performance. Ice hockey players are exposed to cold, dry air and high-intensity exertion, all recognized as triggers for asthma symptoms. However, the prevalence of asthma among female ice hockey players remains largely unknown. In this cross-sectional study, all 224 players in the 2023–2024 season of the Swedish Women's Hockey League (SDHL) were invited to an online questionnaire that included self-reported asthma, allergy, and medication use. A total of 154 players (69%) (mean age 23.3, standard deviation 4.4 years) participated. Of these, 26 (17%) had self-reported asthma, and 43 (28%) had a first-degree relative with asthma. Among players with self-reported asthma, 7 (27%) used regular medication, including corticosteroids and short-acting (SABA) and long-acting beta-agonists (LABA). Allergies were self-reported by 44 players (29%). SDHL players had 1.7 times higher odds of self-reported asthma than age-matched females in the Swedish general population ( p =?0.008). Female elite ice hockey players reported a higher prevalence of asthma compared with age-matched females in the Swedish general population. These findings highlight the importance of increased awareness, appropriate screening, and continued monitoring of respiratory health in female ice hockey players, while also providing a basis for future longitudinal research as women's ice hockey continues to grow and remains underrepresented in sports medicine research.

Introduction:
Asthma is common among athletes, particularly in winter sports, and can affect both health and performance. Ice hockey players are exposed to cold, dry air and high-intensity exertion, all recognized as triggers for asthma symptoms. However, the prevalence of asthma among female ice hockey players remains largely unknown.

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