Faculty Collaboration Database

Moderate and vigorous exercise programs in children with asthma: safety, parental satisfaction, and asthma outcomes. Pediatr Pulmonol 2008 Dec;43(12):1175-82

Date

11/13/2008

Pubmed ID

19003892

DOI

10.1002/ppul.20895

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-56849131849 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   38 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Previous research suggests that physical activity programs may improve fitness and reduce symptoms in children with asthma, but few studies have included severe asthmatics and focused on safety and parental satisfaction with the programs.

OBJECTIVE: To examine safety, parental satisfaction, and pre- to post-intervention changes in symptoms and quality of life (QOL) in a pilot study of the impact of vigorous physical activity (swimming) and moderate-intensity activity (golf) on inner-city children with asthma.

DESIGN/METHODS: Children with asthma (7-14 years old) residing in Milwaukee's highest asthma prevalence zip codes were randomized to a 9-week swimming or golf program. Pre- and post-intervention data were obtained on safety, parental satisfaction, asthma symptoms, quality of life, and urgent asthma physician visits.

RESULTS: Twenty-eight children in the swimming group and 17 in the golf group completed the program. Combined group analysis (N = 45) revealed that only six symptom exacerbations occurred during 1,125 person-sessions of swimming and golf (all resolved with bronchodilator therapy), 92% of parents were very or extremely satisfied with the program, and post-exercise decreases were observed in asthma symptom severity scores (9.3-7.3, P < 0.001), improved parental QOL (4.9-5.4, P < 0.001), and reduced urgent physician visits for asthma (1.3-0.2 visits per person, P = 0.04). The study lacked sufficient power to perform intergroup comparisons.

CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this pilot study indicate that vigorous (swimming) and moderate-intensity (golf) physical activity programs are well-tolerated, safe, and achieve high parental satisfaction. Participants and parents reported reduced childhood asthma symptoms and physician office visits and improved parental QOL. These findings suggest a potentially beneficial role for moderate to vigorous physical activity in childhood asthma.

Author List

Weisgerber M, Webber K, Meurer J, Danduran M, Berger S, Flores G

Author

John R. Meurer MD, MBA Institute Director, Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adolescent
Asthma
Child
Exercise Therapy
Female
Humans
Male
Patient Satisfaction
Pilot Projects
Quality of Life
Severity of Illness Index