Exercise Improves Physical Activity and Comorbidities in Obese Adults with Asthma

Author(s)

Freitas, Patricia Duarte ^[1] ; Silva, Aline Grandi ^[1] ; Ferreira, Palmira Gabriele ^[1] ; Da Silva, Analuci ^[2] ; Salge, Joao Marcos ^[3] ; Carvalho-Pinto, Regina Maria ^[3] ; Cukier, Alberto ^[3] ; Brito, Claudia M. ^[4] ; Mancini, Marcio C. ^[4] ; Carvalho, Celso R. F. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Med, Dept Phys Therapy, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Clin Hosp, Dept Psychol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Heart Inst InCor, Sch Med, Pulm Div, Clin Hosp, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Med, Endocrinol & Metab Serv Clin Hosp, Obes & Metab Syndrome, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: MEDICINE AND SCIENCE IN SPORTS AND EXERCISE; v. 50, n. 7, p. 1367-1376, JUL 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 6

Abstract

Introduction Obese adults with asthma have an increased number of comorbidities and reduced daily life physical activity (DLPA), which may worsen asthma symptoms. Exercise is recommended to improve asthma outcomes; however, the benefits of exercise for psychosocial comorbidities and physical activity levels in obese adults with asthma have been poorly investigated. Objective This study aimed to assess the effects of exercise on DLPA, asthma symptoms, and psychosocial comorbidities in obese adults with asthma. Methods Fifty-five grade II obese adults with asthma were randomly assigned to either a weight loss program + exercise program (WL + E group, n = 28) or a weight loss program + sham (WL + S group, n = 27). The WL + E group incorporated aerobic and resistance muscle training into the weight loss program (nutrition and psychological therapies), whereas the WL + S group performed breathing and stretching exercises. DLPA, asthma symptoms, sleep quality, and anxiety and depression symptoms were quantified before and after treatment. Results After 3 months, the WL + E group presented a significant increase in daily step counts (3068 2325 vs 729 +/- 1118 steps per day) and the number of asthma symptom-free days (14.5 +/- 9.6 vs 8.6 +/- 11.4 dmonth(-1)) compared with the WL + S group. The proportion of participants with improvements in depression symptoms (76.4% vs 16.6%) and a lower risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea (56.5% vs 16.3%) was greater in the WL + E group than that in the WL + S group (P < 0.05). Significant improvements in sleep efficiency (6.6% +/- 5.1% vs 1.3% +/- 4.7%) and latency (-3.7 +/- 5.9 vs 0.2 +/- 5.6 min) were also observed in the WL + E group. Conclusions Our results strongly suggest that exercise training plus a weight loss program improves DLPA, sleep efficiency, and depression and asthma symptoms in obese adults with asthma. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/16134-3 - Effect of a pulmonary rehabilitation in the clinical control and health related quality of life in obese asthmatics
• Grantee: Patricia Duarte Freitas
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 12/16700-9 - Limiting factors during exercise and effect of a pulmonary rehabilitation in the clinical control and Health Related Quality of Life in obese asthmatics
• Grantee: Celso Ricardo Fernandes de Carvalho
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants