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Physical activity, lung function, and sleep outcomes in urban children with asthma
Kate E Powers1,2,3, Elissa Jelalian1,2,3, Shira Dunsiger4
1Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Hasbro Children's Hospital/Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
Insights
Declines in daily physical activity (PA) may lower asthma exacerbation risk in children. Sleep disturbances are linked to reduced PA, especially in Latino children, warranting further research.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Environmental Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Asthma exacerbations in children are a significant health concern.
- Understanding factors influencing asthma exacerbations is crucial for effective management.
- Physical activity (PA) and lung function are key indicators of asthma control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if daily declines in physical activity (PA) or lung function predict asthma exacerbations in urban children.
- To explore the association between sleep disturbances and reduced daytime PA in children with asthma.
Main Methods:
- A 4-week study measured lung function (FEV1) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) using spirometry and accelerometry in 147 urban children (aged 7-9) with persistent asthma.
- Data were collected over multiple years during fall and early winter.
Main Results:
- A decline in daily MVPA was associated with lower odds of asthma exacerbation, particularly in Latino children (OR=0.98).
- Increased sleep awakenings correlated with greater declines in daily MVPA, also specifically among Latino children (p=0.05).
Conclusions:
- Decreased MVPA might reduce the risk of asthma exacerbations, possibly due to symptom avoidance or fear of activity.
- Night-time sleep disruptions may contribute to PA avoidance in children with asthma and require further investigation.
Objectives:
To examine (1) whether daily declines in physical activity (PA) level and/or in lung function (FEV1) predict an asthma exacerbation in a sample of urban children with asthma, and (2) the association between number of sleep awakenings and decline in daytime PA in this group.
Methods:
In this sample of urban children aged 7-9 years with persistent asthma (N = 147), objective methods assessing lung function via a handheld spirometer and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) via accelerometry were measured over a 4-week period during the fall and early winter of each year as part of a larger 5-year study.
Results:
In the entire sample, a significant association between PA and lung function was noted such that a greater decline in daily MVPA was associated with lower odds of exacerbation. Ethnic group differences showed that this association was also significant only among Latino children (odds ratio [OR] = 0.98; 95% confidence interval [CI]:0.97-0.99). A greater number of sleep awakenings were associated with greater declines in daily MVPA among Latinos only (p = .05).
Conclusions:
Results suggest that declining MVPA may contribute to lower risk for an exacerbation. Reasons for declining MVPA need to be further explored in this group. Children with asthma may avoid or be fearful of engaging in PA or may face early symptoms which influence patterns of PA, and this may minimize risk for an exacerbation. Results also suggest reasons for night-time disruptions may need to be targeted in further research or interventions as they can contribute to PA avoidance in this high-risk group.
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