Adherence to and effects of physical activity on health in adults with asthma

Abstract

The background and purpose of the paper were to investigate factors that distinguished between adults with asthma who had participated in a 10-week exercise programme, but differed in exercise maintenance during a 3-year follow-up period, and to investigate if there was a change in daily physical activity level and influence on asthma after 3 years between the two groups. The participants were 21 adults and formed two contrast groups: 10 who had continued to exercise twice a week for 3 years after the 10-week exercise programme, and 11 who discontinued regular training. Semi-structured interviews were used: Exercisers differed from non-exercisers by having acquired asthma in adulthood, having pre-programme training experience, and interest and clear expectations of the exercise. Three years later, all 21 participants were physically active in daily life, less limited by their disease, and better able to control their asthma irrespective of being adherent with exercise recommendations. The study findings would suggest that physical activities in daily life are sufficient to maintain a good physical condition.

• Bronchial asthma
• patient adherence
• physical training
• physical therapy