Effect of physical training on peak oxygen consumption rate and exercise-induced asthma in adult asthmatics

Abstract

Sixteen adults with perennial asthma were trained for 2 months using heavy exercise. Eleven comparable subjects performing light exercise with the same frequency and duration served as controls. After the training the peak oxygen consumption rate (Vo_2max) was increased by 10% (P = 0.02) in the heavily trained group, whereas no significant change was observed in the control group. The difference in Vo_2max between males and females averaged 20% and is thus of the same magnitude as found in healthy subjects. An exercise-induced asthma (EIA) test comprising 6 min of free running was carried out in all participants in both training groups before and after the training period. The post-exercise decrease in pulmonary function assessed by peak expiratory flow (PEF) was 36 + 4% (mean ± SEM) before heavy training and 33 ± 2% after two months of training (paired t-test: P = 0.18); fo^r the control group the decrease was 40 ± 6% and 40 ± 7% (P = 0.22), respectively, at the pre- and post-training investigation. It is concluded that physical training may increase the Vo_2max in asthmatic patients by the same amount as in normal subjects, whereas no influence on the degree of EIA could be detected.

Key-words:

• bronchoconstriction
• exertion
• Vo_2max