Comparative Effectiveness Study of Constant-Load Versus Graded Aerobic Exercise in Obese Children With Bronchial Asthma

Summary

This study aimed to compare the effect of constant-load aerobic exercise (CL-AE) and graded aerobic exercise (G-AE) on cardiopulmonary fitness, and functional capacity in a cohort of obese children with bronchial asthma (BA).

A total of 78 children with BA were randomly assigned to the CL-AE group (n = 26, who underwent moderate-intensity aerobic training with the training load maintained at the same level throughout the entire program, besides the respiratory re-training program), the G-AE group (n = 26, received an intensity- and duration-graded aerobic training in addition to the respiratory re-training program), or the control group (n = 29, who only engaged in a respiratory re-training program). Interventions were administered three times/week for 12 successive weeks.

The cardiopulmonary fitness and functional capacity were evaluated in the three groups before and after the completion of the assigned interventions.

Conditions

• Bronchial Asthma

Interventions

OTHER

Constant-load Aerobic Exercise

The CL-AE group received a 12-week aerobic training, three times in addition to the respiratory re-training. the program included a moderate-intensity aerobic training program, with an intensity set at 65% of the maximum age-predicted heart rate for 45 minutes. The training intensity and duration were maintained at the same level throughout the program. The CL-AE program included a warm-up for 5 minutes and a cool-down for 5 minutes

OTHER

Graded Aerobic exercise

The G-AE group received a 12-week intensity- and duration-graded aerobic training, three times in addition to the respiratory re-training. The G-AE program commenced with a training intensity corresponding to 50% of the maximum age-predicted heart rate for 25 minutes in the first two weeks, which progressed on a two-week basis, and ended up with a training intensity corresponding to 75% of the maximum age-predicted heart rate for 50 minutes in the last two weeks. The G-AE program also included a warm-up for 5 minutes and a cool-down for 5 minutes.

OTHER

Respiratory Re-training

The respiratory re-training lasted for 30 minutes per session and was repeated three times a week for 12 consecutive weeks. The program consisted of diaphragmatic breathing exercises, breath-hold, and breathing control exercises, pursed lip breathing, respiratory muscle strengthening, postural correction exercises, and relaxation techniques.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Cairo University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Ragab K. Elnaggar, PhD · Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

8 Years

Max Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2022-10-30

Primary Completion

2023-12-07

Completion

2023-12-07

Countries

• Saudi Arabia

Study Locations