Table 2 Reported respiratory exercise related symptoms pre and post intervention on a scale from 1–5: 1 = never; 2 = sometimes; 3 = often; 4 = regularly; 5 = always. Results are given as mean and 95% confidence interval (CI) (n = 18)

I have breathing problems during low intensity training

1.1 (0.9, 1.3)

1.0 (1.0, 1.0)

ns

I have breathing problems during high intensity training or sport competitions

3.8 (3.2, 4.4)

2.4 (1.8, 3.0)

 ≤ 0.01

The breathing problems are worse during competitions compared to high intensity training

2.7 (1.8, 3.6)

2.8 (2.1, 3.5)

ns

I feel tightness in my chest

1.7 (1.2, 2.2)

1.4 (0.8, 2.0)

ns

I become dizzy/nauseous and feel I am fainting

1.5 (1.2, 1.8)

1.3 (0.9, 1.6)

ns

I can hear abnormal sound / wheezing

3.5 (2.7, 4.4)

1.9 (1.3, 2.4)

 ≤ 0.01

I become anxious when breathing problems occur

1.7 (1.3, 2.1)

1.2 (1.0, 1.4)

0.01

I stop doing high-intensive training due to the breathing problems

2.1 (1.7, 2.6)

1.7 (1.2, 2.2)

ns

I can control the breathing problems when they occur

1.9 (1.3, 2.5)

3.9 (3.4, 4.5)

 ≤ 0.001