Children with asthma and physical exercise: effects of an exercise programme

• Published in: Clinical rehabilitation 2001-08, Vol.15 (4), p.360-370
• Main Authors: van Veldhoven, N HMJ, Vermeer, A, Bogaard, J M, Hessels, M GP, Wijnroks, L, Colland, V T, van Essen-Zandvliet, E EM
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activities of Daily Living; Adaptation, Psychological; Adolescent; Asthma; Asthma - physiopathology; Asthma - psychology; Asthma - therapy; Biological and medical sciences; Bronchoconstriction; Child; Children; Diseases of the respiratory system; Evaluation; Exercise; Exercise - psychology; Female; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Multivariate Analysis; Netherlands; Physical Endurance; Physical Fitness; Programmes; Radiotherapy. Instrumental treatment. Physiotherapy. Reeducation. Rehabilitation, orthophony, crenotherapy. Diet therapy and various other treatments (general aspects); Respiratory Function Tests; Self Concept; Severity of Illness Index; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0269-2155; 1477-0873
• DOI: 10.1191/026921501678310162

Objective: To evaluate the effects of a physical exercise programme for children with asthma on an outpatient basis. Design: Intervention study: a randomized pretest–post-test control group design. Setting and subjects: Forty-seven children with clinically diagnosed asthma participated in the intervention study, including 34 boys and 13 girls, from 8 to 13 years of age (mean age 10.6). Interventions: The physical exercise programme consisted of regular group exercises and home exercises for a period of three months. It was based on a theoretical model describing the relationships between physical competence (condition), perceived physical competence, self-esteem and coping behaviour. Main outcome measures: Maximum incremental exercise test, endurance test, the Self-Perception Profile for Children (CBSK), the Asthma Coping Test (ACBT), lung function and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. Results: The results showed significant effects of the intervention programme on physical condition. There was a significant improvement of 15 W on the maximal workload (Wmax) (p < 0.001), of 7% on VO 2max (oxygen uptake) (p = 0.002) and a significant decrease on heart rate submaximal of 6% (p = 0.001). There was also a significant improvement of 50% in running time measured with the endurance test (p = 0.021). Furthermore, a significant effect of the intervention was seen on coping with asthma (p = 0.003). Conclusion: It was concluded that participation in the physical exercise programme not only enhanced physical fitness, but also improved coping behaviour with asthma.