Anaerobic Exercise Testing in Children with Asthma

Abstract

Twenty-two males with asthma and 22 healthy males (7-18 years old) performed a Wingate Anaerobic Test. The subjects with asthma had a lower mid-maximal expiratory flow rate (78.3 ± 25.3 vs. 100.1 ± 24.5%, p < 0.01) than the controls. Aerobic and anaerobic exercise performance (peak power: PP; mean power: MP) were similar for the two groups whether expressed in absolute or relative terms to body weight. The subgroup with asthma with a lower percent body fat (<25%) had a higher PP and MP than the subjects with a higher percent body fat (>25%). Pulmonary function or maturation were not independent correlates of anaerobic power. Our results fail to show differences in anaerobic exercise performance in children with asthma compared to healthy controls. Nutrition appears to be an important factor for performance during this test.

Key Words:

• Wingate Anaerobic Test
• Exercise
• Asthma