Table 1 Systematic literature review on respiratory infection incidence upon intense physical demanding tasks

Firefighter respiratory infection OR firefighter exhaustion infection OR firefighter intense physical activity infection OR firefighter training infection

79

1

[65]

The study monitored 58 wildland firefighters for respiratory symptoms markers during preseason, postfire, and postseason

Upper and lower respiratory symptom scores were higher postfire compared to preseason or postseason

Soldier training intensity respiratory infection

9

1

[66]

A cohort of 21 soldiers underwent to 3 weeks of training followed by a 5 days combat course with energy restriction, sleep deprivation and psychological stress. The training consisted of swimming, walking and running in rough terrain. In trails, individuals carried backpacks of (11 ± 1.2) kg

A total of 30 upper respiratory infection episodes were recorded. These episodes were similarly distributed during training and combat course but reduced drastically after 2 days of recovery

Marathon respiratory infection OR marathon runner infection

118

4

[67]

Followed up 208 runners of the 2010 London Marathon for 15 post-run via questionnaire. The results were compared to a control group of 128 football players, who did not run the marathon

47% of runners reported respiratory symptoms versus 19% of non-runners. Part of the symptoms can also be attributed to allergies as well

[68]

The study followed up 141 participants of the 1982 race from Pretoria to Johannesburg (56 km) for 2 weeks after the race via questionnaire. The control was a group of 125 individuals that lived with the participants

33.3% of the runners reported respiratory infections versus 15.3% of the control group

[70]

The study followed up 34 participants (21 races and 13 controls) of the 18th Oita International Wheelchair Marathon for 1 month prior the race and 2 weeks after race via questionnaire

No significant changes were found

[69]

The study followed up 2311 participants (1828 who completed the race and 134 controls who chose not to run, the remaining failed to complete the race and were excluded from the study) of the 1987 Los Angeles Marathon for a week before and a week after the run via questionnaire

12.9% of runners had respiratory infections after the marathon compared to 2.2% of the control group

Physical demand respiratory infection

209

1

[71]

The study monitored 34 boys during 12 weeks preparatory training phase, 7 weeks competition and 2 weeks post-season

Upper respiratory symptom scores were significantly reduced in the post-season period compared to training and competition phases