The Effect of Exercise on Asthma in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Asthma is a heterogeneous respiratory condition and a common childhood disease. The effects of exercise on childhood asthma have not been fully clarified. This study aims to systematically evaluate the impact of exercise on children with asthma, specifically examining lung function, exercise capacity, airway inflammation, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

13 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 673 children with asthma, with a mean age ranging from 7.3 to 14 years, were included. The results of the meta-analysis showed that exercise can improve the six-minute walk test (6MWT) distance and the pediatric asthma quality of life questionnaire (PAQLQ) scores in children with asthma but cannot reduce the fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) level. Exercise intervention within 8 weeks only had a positive effect on forced vital capacity percentage (FVC%) and forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of forced vital capacity (FEF 25-75%) in children with asthma but had no positive effect on forced expiratory volume in 1 s percentage (FEV1%). Exercise intervention for more than 8 weeks had no positive effect on the above indicators. In children with asthma, exercise training has the potential to improve exercise ability and health quality of life but not inflammation. Additionally, exercise intervention does not provide sustained improvement of lung function, although training within 8 weeks can temporarily increase FVC% and FEF 25-75%.