Exercise is associated with improved asthma control in adults

Abstract

Global asthma control levels are suboptimal. The influence of regular exercise on asthma control is unclear.We assessed the effects of a 12-week supervised exercise intervention followed by 12 weeks of self-administered exercise on adults with partially controlled asthma (n521) and matched controls (n515). Assessments were conducted at baseline and week 12 for both the exercise and control group, and again at week 24 for the exercise group.There was a significant treatment effect on asthma control in the exercise group, as measured by the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ), from baseline to week 12, compared with the control group. A clinically significant improvement (0.5 increase in ACQ score) was observed for asthma quality of life and ACQ in the exercise group from baseline to week 12. There was a significant improvement in aerobic fitness from baseline to week 24 in the exercise group.In conclusion, a 12-week supervised exercise intervention led to improvements in asthma control and quality of life in partially controlled asthmatics motivated to exercise. These improvements were maintained, while aerobic fitness and perceived asthma control significantly improved over an additional 12 weeks of self-administered exercise. These findings indicate that a structured exercise intervention can improve asthma control.

Feasibility of high-intensity training in asthma

“…The average improvement in VO 2 max was ~3.5%. Dogra et al [20] performed a non-randomized study including 12 weeks of supervised aerobic training twice weekly plus resistance training once a week, which led to an increase in VO 2 max of ~9.5%. This indicates that though our high-intensity training program lasted just 8 weeks, it effectively improved VO 2 max when compared to previous studies.…”

Physical inactivity and television-viewing time among Aboriginal adults with asthma: a cross-sectional analysis of the Aboriginal Peoples Survey

“…12 Further, engaging in regular, structured physical activity has been shown to improve asthma control in adults with asthma. 11 Thus, physical activity promotion strategies among Aboriginal people may benefit from an asthma education component, and asthma education should include information on physical activity.…”

“…10 Lower physical activity rates may partially explain the higher incidence and worse management of chronic disease in this population. 9 Regular physical activity is associated with improved asthma control 11 as well as lower health care use. 12 Activity limitation is an important criteria in the assessment of asthma control.…”

Comparação entre exercício aeróbio e respiratório no controle clínico e inflamação pulmonar de pacientes com asma persistente moderada ou grave: ensaio clínico aleatorizado

“…Diferentes programas de treinamento físico têm sido recomendados, porém existe uma grande variabilidade entre os estudos e atividades como caminhada, corrida, ciclismo, ginástica, subida de degraus, natação e dança têm sido propostas 22 . As evidências na literatura têm demonstrado que os exercícios aeróbios podem proporcionar aos pacientes: melhora dos fatores relacionados à qualidade de vida 34,24,35 e do controle clínico 36 , bem como redução do número de crises e uso da medicação de alívio 37,24,35 , do broncoespasmo induzido pelo exercício 34 , da hiperresponsividade das vias aéreas 38 , do uso de corticosteróide 34 , do risco de exacerbação da asma 27,24,39 . Atualmente, tem-se sugerido que o exercício físico tenha um efeito antiinflamatório na asma evidenciado pela redução da fração de óxido nítrico exalado (FeNO) 39,40 e redução na porcentagem de eosinófilos no escarro 39 .…”

“…Poucos estudos investigaram o efeito do exercício aeróbio e respiratório no controle clínico da asma usando o ACQ. Turner 35 não observaram melhora na ACQ-7 em pacientes asmáticos submetidos a um treinamento aeróbio; no entanto, Dogra 36 observaram uma melhora após um programa de exercícios aeróbicos, usando apenas o ACQ- Acreditamos que a melhora do controle clínico seja decorrente da redução da inflamação pulmonar evidenciada pela menor porcentagem de eosinófilos encontrados no escarro, dessa forma, os pacientes menos inflamados podem apresentar menor frequência de sintomas e, consequentemente, melhor manejo da doença. …”