A recent research has shown that more sweating in athletes leads to lower risk of exercise-induced asthma. Sweating gives a kind of built-in protection to people from exercise-induced asthma attacks. The possible reason behind this association is that the same mechanisms responsible for generating a person's sweat "volume" also determines the amount of water secreted by the airways. This study was done by the researchers at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego.

The researchers measured the volunteers' lung function before and after giving them a medication called methacholine, which, in someone with asthma, causes the airways to constrict at low doses. These study subjects were also given a drug called pilocarpine, which induces sweat and saliva production.

Analysis of the data collected from the study subjects showed that the study subjects who tended to sweat the most in response to the drug were less likely to show airway constriction after being given methacholine. The study showed that heavy sweaters also tended to have greater saliva and tear production.

Dr. Warren Lockette, the senior researcher said that the results are consistent with the idea that a common mechanism may underlie diminished sweat production and reduced water secretion in the airways.

He said, "It now appears that how much fluid your airways secrete could be a key determinant in protecting you from exercise-induced asthma." He concluded that the study showed that if athletes sweat, drool, or cry, at least they won't gasp.