The Effect of a Selective Exercise Program on Motor Competence and Pulmonary Function of Asthmatic Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Khodashenas, Ezzat; Bakhtiari, Elham; Sohrabi, Mehdi; Mozayani, Ali; Arabi, Manijheh; Valayati Haghighi, Vahideh; Motevalli Haghi, Nasrinsadat; Ahanchian, Hamid

doi:10.22038/ijp.2019.37253.3243

The Effect of a Selective Exercise Program on Motor Competence and Pulmonary Function of Asthmatic Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Authors

Ezzat Khodashenas ¹

Elham Bakhtiari ²

Mehdi Sohrabi ³

Ali Mozayani ¹

Manijheh Arabi ³

Vahideh Valayati Haghighi ³

Nasrinsadat Motevalli Haghi ¹

Hamid Ahanchian ⁴

¹ Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

² Research Center for Patient Safety, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

³ Department of Motor Behaviors, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.

⁴ Department of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

10.22038/ijp.2019.37253.3243

Abstract

Background
Physical activity in asthmatic children may be useful. But there is not adequate knowledge about it. In present study the effect of selective exercise on motor competency and pulmonary function in asthmatic pediatrics was evaluated.
Materials and Methods
In a randomized clinical trial study,fifteen asthmatic children aged 6 to 18 years were included. Patients were randomly divided into the experimental or control group. There was no difference in the routine pharmacotherapy. The aerobic group had an exercise program consisting of 45-minute sessions three times per week for 8 weeks. The outcome measures were the difference between the pre- and post-exercise program and also the experimental and control groups. Spirometry parameters (such as FEV1and FVC) were measured. Motor competency was measured by the Ozeretski test. Quality of life was evaluated by St. George's questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 16.0).
Results: A significant effect was observed for spirometry parameters, quality of life and the Ozeretski test in two studied groups. Aerobic exercise had a significant effect in improving FEF 25-75%, quality of life and the fine and gross motor performance in the experimental group (P< 0.05). A significant difference was observed between two groups for FEF, FEF25-75% and quality of life (P< 0.05).
Conclusion
Regular exercise improves the spirometric parameters and quality of life in studied asthmatic children. In present study, aerobic exercise and strength training were useful complementary means for the treatment of asthmatic children.

Keywords

Asthma

Child

Selective exercise program

Spirometry

Quality of life