Bronchitis in Athletes: Reduced Endurance, Injury Risk, Infection Susceptibility, Sleep Disruption, and Mental Health Effects

Bronchitis (bronchial inflammation) impairs athletic performance via:

• Reduced endurance: Airway narrowing → ↑ work of breathing, ↓ VO₂ max.
• Injury risk: Fatigue, altered biomechanics, reduced core stability from coughing.
• Infection susceptibility: Damaged epithelium → secondary bacterial pneumonia.
• Sleep disruption: Nocturnal cough → poor recovery, ↓ growth hormone, ↑ cortisol.
• Psychological: Frustration, anxiety, identity threat.

Treatment

• Acute viral: supportive (hydration, rest, honey, humidifier).
• Bacterial (purulent sputum, >10 days): antibiotics.
• Inhaled bronchodilators/corticosteroids if bronchospasm.

Prevention

• Avoid pollutants, cold dry air (use mask/buff).
• Hand hygiene, vaccination (flu, COVID, pneumococcal).
• Graduated return-to-play: symptom-free at rest → light → sport-specific.