Comparison of continuous and interval training on the perception of physical effort, in health related quality of life and level of physical activity in asthma patients

Author(s)

Patricia Gonçalves Leite Rocco

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina (FM/SBD)
• Defense date: 2016-06-23

Examining board members

Celso Ricardo Fernandes de Carvalho; Simone Dal Corso; Carolina Fu; João Marcos Salge

• Advisor: Celso Ricardo Fernandes de Carvalho

Abstract

Background: Recent studies have shown positive effects of continuous physical training on increased physical capacity and improvement of clinical management, quality of life, reducing the symptoms of anxiety and depression in patients with asthma. On the other hand, the interval exercise training has been shown to be efficient in some chronic diseases such as heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; however, it is unknown in the literature the effects of interval training in asthmatics. Objectives: To compare the impact of continuous training (CT) and interval (IT) in the perception of effort, clinical management, factors related to quality of life, level of physical activity and symptoms of anxiety and depression in patients with asthma. Methods: 36 patients with moderate to severe asthma were divided into two groups: CTG (n = 18) and ITG (n = 18). All patients participated initially an educational program and were subjected to an exercise program, but the intensity of training at CTG started at 60% of VO2 peak and had an increase of 5% HR every 2 consecutive sessions considering the absence of respiratory symptoms; while the ITG, the training was divided into 30 second cycles alternating high intensity exercise period (starting with 80% load in Watts reached maximum test with an increase of 5% of the load every 2 consecutive sessions without severe dyspnea) with a period of 30 seconds with no load recovery. Both drills have been performed 2x/week at 40 minutes/session during 3 months. Before and after the intervention, all patients underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing and constant load, pulmonary function test, assessment of the level of daily physical activity, clinical asthma control (ACQ and ACT), health factors related to quality life (AQLQ) and levels of anxiety and depression (HADS). Results: Data was analyzed from 33 patients who completed reassessments. At baseline, there was no difference between the groups in age, gender, BMI, lung function, clinical management, health factors related to quality of life, anxiety and depression and the variables of the cardiopulmonary exercise test (p > 0,05). After 3 months of intervention, it was observed difference in the sensation of dyspnea in both constant load test, as well as in cardiopulmonary exercise test (p < 0.05). We also observed an improvement in the perception of muscle fatigue of lower limbs in ITG maximum test (p < 0.05). There was improvement in moderate physical activity levels only in the ITG when comparing the two groups. Both groups showed improvement in physical fitness (VO2 improvement in CTG = 2.2 mL/kg/min; ITG = 2.0 mL/k/min, p < 0.05), and improved health factors related to quality life (improved 0.5 point total score in both groups. Only the members of IT had significant improvement compared to baseline when assessed by ACT, ACQ-6 and 7, and showed clinical improvement ( > 0,5 point) by ACQ, but proportionally, the two groups showed improvement in clinical management Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that both trainings are effective in the rehabilitation of patients with moderate and severe asthma. However, interval training seems to be more effective in reducing dyspnea and fatigue levels in the lower limbs so may have greater impact on increasing physical activity level (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/16511-7 - Comparison of continuous and interval training on the perception of physical effort in health related quality of life and level of physical activity in asthma patients
• Grantee: Patricia Gonçalves Leite Rocco
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master