Effects of an exercise program on the physical condition of children with asthma and exercise-induced respiratory symptoms: Pilot study

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Physical inactivity and a low adherence to the Mediterranean diet produces alterations in body composition that may determinate a worse control of chronic diseases such as asthma (1), this is one of the most frequent diseases in childhood. Some investigation in animal show the exercise can be decreased an asthma inflammation and ronchial hyperresponsiveness (2), as well as systemic inflammation, which could help control asthma (3) Objectives: to analyze the effect of aerobic and strength exercise program in asthmatic children with symptoms of bronchospasm induced by exercise, with physical exercise on variables of physical condition and quality of life. METHODS: Randomized controlled trial with control group that compared their usual physical activity vs. exercise program for 12 weeks, 3 days/week, and 60 min/day. It is assessed the physical condition (ergospirometry on treadmill and strength of peripheral muscles) and quality of life with Pediatric Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ). RESULTS: The study included 43 children from 7 to 17 years old distributed in Control Group (CG, n = 27) and Intervention Group (IG, n = 16). The average adherence to the program was 82.8%. In VO2peak in ml · kg - 1 · min - 1 the IG had 3.31 ± 1.51 with respect to the CG that obtained 0.25 ± 0.71 in the interaction time per group was p(txg) = 0.064 with an increase in the IG of with respect to the CG, Statistically significant improvements were observed in all strength parameters evaluated, with more significance in High Row p(txg) = 0.006, Leg Press p(txg) = 0.002 and Hamstrings p(txg) = 0.003. We couldn’t see improves in quality of life. CONCLUSION: Similar studies in children with asthma observe improvements in VO2max in 1 METS approximately what, according to investigations is a considerable improvement for this population (4), also some investigation shows than the strength in the same population improves significantly and recent systematic review are demonstrating an adequate level of physical activity with a protective factor against asthma (5). In relation with PAQLQ the values weren’t changed robably because the sample has high results in PRE-PAQLQ, 53,3% of them has controlled asthma with at least two drugs. In conclusion 12 weeks of exercise program improves both, cardiorespiratory level and specially strength level in children with mild-moderate asthma.