Acute Effects of Exercise at Different Temperatures on Clinical Symptoms and Nasal Blood Flow in Patient with Allergic Rhinitis: A randomized crossover trial

Allergic rhinitis (AR) affects the nose and is triggered by allergens. However, no research studies have analyzed the acute effect of aerobic exercise at different temperatures in AR patients. This study was to determine the acute effect of aerobic exercise at different temperatures on rhinitis symptoms and nasal blood flow (NBF) in AR patients. Fifteen AR patients aged 18-24 years were randomized in a crossover fashion into two protocols: 60 minutes of aerobic exercise at temperatures of 25 °C and 34 °C. The NBF, rhinitis symptoms, peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF), fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and oxygen saturation (SpO2) variables were measured. During exercise at 25°C, a notable reduction was observed in NBF, nasal congestion, and sneezing in comparison to exercising at 34°C (p < 0.05). The SpO2 demonstrated significant decreases at 34°C compared to exercise at 25°C after 30 minutes post exercise. The rhinitis symptom scores and NBF in both exercise at 25°C and 34°C significantly decreased and PNIF increased during and after exercise compared to before exercise (p < 0.05). In conclusion, both exercising at 25°C and 34°C can contribute to the alleviation of allergic rhinitis symptoms by decreasing rhinitis symptom and NBF. However, exercising in a room at 25°C exhibits a more significant reduction in nasal blood flow, nasal congestion, and sneezing compared to the 34°C setting.