Children with asthma and physical exercise: effects of an exercise programme.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of a physical exercise programme for children with asthma on an outpatient basis.


METHODS
Intervention study: a randomized pretest-post-test control group design.


METHODS
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).


METHODS
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.


METHODS
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 VO2max (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).


CONCLUSIONS
It was concluded that participation in the physical exercise programme not only enhanced physical fitness, but also improved coping behaviour with asthma.
van Veldhoven
N H
NH
Department of Educational Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Utrecht University, The Netherlands. N.vanveldhoven@fss.uu.nl
Vermeer
A
A
Bogaard
J M
JM
Hessels
M G
MG
Wijnroks
L
L
Colland
V T
VT
van Essen-Zandvliet
E E
EE
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D016084:Bronchoconstriction; D002648:Child; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010807:Physical Endurance; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012649:Self Concept; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome