Exercise Improves Physical Activity and Comorbidities in Obese Adults with Asthma

Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2018 Jul;50(7):1367-1376. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000001574.

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 d·month) 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.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actigraphy
  • Adult
  • Anxiety / complications
  • Asthma / complications*
  • Comorbidity
  • Depression / complications
  • Exercise Therapy*
  • Exercise*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / complications*
  • Obesity / therapy*
  • Resistance Training
  • Sleep
  • Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / complications
  • Weight Reduction Programs