Physical training does not increase allergic inflammation in asthmatic children

Abstract

The effects of a 3-month physical training programme on airway inflammation and clinical outcomes were studied in school-aged children with asthma.Subjects with persistent allergic asthma (aged 12.7¡3.4 yrs; n534) were randomly allocated into training and control groups. Exercise consisted of twice-weekly 50-min sessions for 12 weeks. Inflammation was assessed by levels of exhaled nitric oxide, blood eosinophils, eosinophil cationic protein, C-reactive protein, and total and mite-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E. Lung volumes and bronchial responsiveness to methacholine were determined. The Paediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire and Paediatric Asthma Caregiver's Quality of Life Questionnaire were used to evaluate activity restrictions, symptoms and emotional stress. The efficacy of the training was assessed by accelerometry.Following the programme, the exercise group spent twice as much time as the controls undertaking moderate-to-vigorous activities. No differences in changes were seen between groups for asthma outcomes. However, total IgE decreased more in the exercise group, as did mite-specific IgE.Training did not increase inflammation in children with persistent asthma, and may have decreased both total and allergen-specific immunoglobulin E levels. It is concluded that there is no reason to discourage asthmatic children with controlled disease to exercise.

Physical activity in young children is reduced with increasing bronchial responsiveness

“…However, regular exercise has been found not to influence resting lung function 29 and bronchial responsiveness to methacholine. 30 This suggests that greater bronchial responsiveness leads to decreased activity. It has been argued that if asthmatic subjects are restricting their physical activity because of asthma symptoms, this indicates that the asthma is not being well controlled and steps should be taken to improve the management of the asthma.…”

Helsinki alert of biodiversity and health

“…At the molecular level, physical activity directly decreases the levels of inflammatory markers, CRP, TNF and in most studies also IL-6, increases Treg cell numbers and enhances the production of IL-10 and TGFβ (94,95), indicating clear anti-inflammatory properties. In asthmatic school children, physical training for 3 months decreased both total and allergen (mite)-specific IgE levels (96). However, physical activity still remains a largely neglected aspect of prevention and intervention of non-communicable diseases (92).…”

The breathless adolescent asthmatic athlete

“…FANELLI et al [20] also reported improved quality of life and asthma control in their actively training group compared with a nontraining group. MOREIRA et al [21] conducted a 3-month training programme in adolescents (mean age 13.4 yrs) and found no changes in asthma control; however, they reported a reduction in total and house dust mite-specific immunoglobulin E in their training group.…”