A 12-month, moderate-intensity exercise training program improves fitness and quality of life in adults with asthma: a controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Physical training has been shown to improve exercise capabilities in patients with asthma. Most studies focused on children and younger adults. Previously, the maximum program duration was six months. It is not known whether the same results may be obtained with lower intensity programs and sustained for time periods longer than 6 months. This controlled study was undertaken to investigate the effects of a moderate intensity outpatient training program of one year duration on physical fitness and quality of life in adults with asthma. METHODS: 21 adult asthmatics (mean age 56 ± 10 years) were allocated to outpatient training (n = 13) or standard care (n = 8). Exercise consisted of once weekly, 60-minute sessions of moderate intensity. Assessments at baseline and after one year included cardiopulmonary exercise testing and Short Form-36 and Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaires. RESULTS: Following one year of exercise, relevant improvements were observed in the training group for maximum work capacity (p = 0.005), peak oxygen uptake (p < 0.005), O(2)pulse (p < 0.05), maximum ventilation (p < 0.005), and most of the quality of life domains. No changes were observed in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: A physiotherapist-led, long-term, moderate-intensity exercise program of one year duration can induce clinically relevant improvements in exercise capabilities and health-related quality of life in well-motivated adults with asthma. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov NCT01097473. Date trial registered: 31.03.2010.