Distance running improves fitness in asthmatic children without pulmonary complications or changes in exercise-induced bronchospasm.
The effect of a distance running program was studied in 15 children with severe chronic asthma. Following a 6-week control period, the subjects ran four days a week for 6 weeks. The distance was increased gradually to 3.2 km. Clinical status and need for treatment did not change. Episodes of exercise-induced bronchospasm were readily reversed. Fitness improved as measured by the distance run in 12 minutes (P less than .005). Resting pulmonary function did not change. Exercise-induced bronchospasm following a bicycle ergometer stress test under comparable conditions did not change. Ventilatory muscle strength, measured as the maximal inspiratory pressure, and endurance, measured as the sustainable inspiratory pressure, were at a high level initially and did not change. It is concluded that distance running is safe and can increase the fitness of asthmatic children who are receiving adequate therapy.
D000293:Adolescent; D000403:Airway Resistance; D001249:Asthma / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001250:Asthma, Exercise-Induced / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009132:Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation; D012420:Running; D013909:Thorax
D010100:Oxygen