Exercise-induced asthma and cardiovascular fitness in asthmatic children.
BACKGROUND
The role of physical training in the management of children with exercise-induced asthma is controversial. A study was undertaken to determine whether a relationship could be found between the occurrence of exercise-induced asthma and the degree of cardiovascular fitness in asthmatic children.


METHODS
Twenty eight children aged 6-13 with mild to moderate asthma and dyspnoea during or after physical exercise were tested. All patients had a basal forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) of > 80% predicted. Twelve patients were taking corticosteroid maintenance medication by inhalation and 16 were not. Two exercise tests were performed on a treadmill to assess peak oxygen consumption rate (VO2max) and the percentage decrease in FEV1 after exercise.


RESULTS
There was no correlation between the VO2max and the percentage decrease in FEV1. Patients not taking steroids showed a greater fall in FEV1 than those receiving corticosteroid medication (mean fall in FEV1 28.7% versus 6.6%). Four of the 12 children treated with steroids and two of the 16 children not taking steroids had a level of cardiovascular fitness lower than the 5th percentile for healthy Dutch children.


CONCLUSIONS
Normal cardiovascular fitness does not prevent exercise-induced asthma.
Thio
B J
BJ
Department of Paediatric Pulmonogy, Academisch Ziekenhuis Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Nagelkerke
A F
AF
Ketel
A G
AG
van Keeken
B L
BL
Dankert-Roelse
J E
JE
D000293:Adolescent; D000420:Albuterol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001250:Asthma, Exercise-Induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D002648:Child; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010809:Physical Fitness
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D000420:Albuterol