Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 5, 2026
Calculating Heart Rate Variability from ECG Data from Youth with Cerebral Palsy During Active Video Game Sessions
Published on: June 5, 2019
Active Video Game Exercise Training Improves the Clinical Control of Asthma in Children: Randomized Controlled Trial
Evelim L F D Gomes1, Celso R F Carvalho2, Fabiana Sobral Peixoto-Souza1
1Postgraduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Nove de Julho University, São Paulo, Brazil.
Insights
Active video game exercise improved asthma control and reduced airway inflammation in children. This aerobic training enhanced exercise capacity, offering a fun alternative to traditional methods for pediatric asthma management.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Exercise Physiology
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Asthma management in children often involves exercise, but adherence can be challenging.
- Active video game systems offer a novel approach to supervised aerobic training.
- Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01438294.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of active video game (AVG) aerobic exercise on asthma control.
- To assess the impact of AVG exercise on airway inflammation and exercise capacity in children with moderate to severe asthma.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, controlled, single-blinded trial involving 36 children with moderate to severe asthma.
- Participants were assigned to an 8-week supervised program: either an active video game group (VGG) or a treadmill group (TG).
- Evaluations included the Asthma Control Questionnaire, exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), maximum exercise testing, and lung function.
Main Results:
- Both VGG and TG showed improvements in asthma control and exercise capacity.
- The VGG demonstrated a significant reduction in exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), indicating decreased airway inflammation.
- Maximum energy expenditure was higher in the VGG compared to the TG.
Conclusions:
- Aerobic training via active video games positively impacts clinical asthma control in children.
- Active video game exercise enhances exercise capacity and reduces pulmonary inflammation.
- This approach provides an effective and engaging method for improving health outcomes in pediatric asthma.
Objective:
The aim of the present study was to determine whether aerobic exercise involving an active video game system improved asthma control, airway inflammation and exercise capacity in children with moderate to severe asthma.
Design:
A randomized, controlled, single-blinded clinical trial was carried out. Thirty-six children with moderate to severe asthma were randomly allocated to either a video game group (VGG; N = 20) or a treadmill group (TG; n = 16). Both groups completed an eight-week supervised program with two weekly 40-minute sessions. Pre-training and post-training evaluations involved the Asthma Control Questionnaire, exhaled nitric oxide levels (FeNO), maximum exercise testing (Bruce protocol) and lung function.
Results:
No differences between the VGG and TG were found at the baseline. Improvements occurred in both groups with regard to asthma control and exercise capacity. Moreover, a significant reduction in FeNO was found in the VGG (p < 0.05). Although the mean energy expenditure at rest and during exercise training was similar for both groups, the maximum energy expenditure was higher in the VGG.
Conclusion:
The present findings strongly suggest that aerobic training promoted by an active video game had a positive impact on children with asthma in terms of clinical control, improvement in their exercise capacity and a reduction in pulmonary inflammation.
Trial Registration:
Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01438294.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:30Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
01:30Asthma-IV: Nursing Management
First, in...
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.
01:26COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids
01:29Asthma-I: Introduction
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: