Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 3, 2026
Home-Based Prescribed Pulmonary Exercise in Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Published on: August 24, 2019
[Role of exercise in asthma management in children]
1Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong 637000, China.
Insights
Regular exercise, at least 20 minutes three times weekly, significantly improves asthma control in children. This approach is safe and beneficial for managing pediatric asthma effectively.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Exercise Physiology
- Asthma Management
Context:
- Asthma is a prevalent chronic respiratory condition in children.
- Effective management strategies are crucial for improving quality of life.
- The role of exercise in pediatric asthma management requires further investigation.
Purpose:
- To investigate the efficacy of a structured exercise program in managing childhood asthma.
- To develop evidence-based exercise prescriptions for asthmatic children.
- To assess the safety and benefits of exercise interventions in pediatric asthma.
Summary:
- A 4-month randomized trial involving 112 children (7-14 years) compared a control group (medication only) with an exercise group (medication plus exercise prescription).
- The exercise group demonstrated significantly reduced Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) variation from week 13.
- Upon trial completion, the exercise group showed significant reductions in daytime/nighttime asthma symptoms and emergency medication use, with no severe adverse events.
Impact:
- Exercise interventions can be safely integrated into asthma management plans for children.
- Structured physical activity can lead to improved asthma control and reduced symptom burden.
- Findings support the development of exercise guidelines for pediatric asthma patients.
Objective:
To study the role of exercise in asthma management in children and formulate exercise prescriptions for asthmatic children.
Methods:
A total of 112 asthmatic children aged 7-14 years were randomized into control group (n=56, with medications only) and exercise group (n=56, with medications and exercise prescription) for a trial lasting for 4 months. An asthma diary was used for all children to record the morning and evening peak expiratory flow (PEF), daytime and nighttime asthma symptom score, use of short-acting beta agonists, participation in physical activity, and exercise-induced asthma symptoms.
Results:
Of the 112 children, 5 dropped out before the trial completion. From the 13th week, PEF variation in exercise group was significantly lowered compared to that in the control group (P<0.05). Upon the completion of the trial, the daytime and nighttime symptoms score and emergency medication score were all significantly lower in the exercise group than in the control group (P<0.05). No severe adverse events occurred in the children during the trial.
Conclusion:
Exercise for no less than 20 min, 3 days a week for 4 months is safe and beneficial for asthma control in children.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
01:30Asthma-IV: Nursing Management
First, in...
01:30Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
01:29Asthma-I: Introduction
01:13Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations
01:26Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include: