Physical training does not increase allergic inflammation in asthmatic children

¹ Dept of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; and Immuno-allergology, Hospital of São João, Porto, Portugal
² Skin and Allergy Hospital, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
³ Immuno-allergology, Hospital of São João, Porto, Portugal; and Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
⁴ Faculty of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; and CIAFEL - Research Centre in Physical Activity and Leisure, University of Porto
⁵ Faculty of Sports, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; and CIAFEL - Research Centre in Physical Activity and Leisure, University of Porto
⁶ Immuno-allergology, Hospital of São João, Porto, Portugal

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: andremoreira{at}med.up.pt.

	Abstract

We studied the effects of a 3-month physical training program on airway inflammation and clinical outcomes in school-aged children with asthma.

Thirty four subjects, 12.7±3.4 years, with persistent allergic asthma were randomly allocated into training and control groups. Exercise consisted of twice-weekly 50 minutes sessions for 12 weeks. Inflammation was assessed by exhaled nitric oxide, blood eosinophils, eosinophil cationic protein, C-reactive protein, total and mite specific IgE. Lung volumes and bronchial responsiveness to metacholine were determined. Paediatric Asthma -and Caregiver's- Quality of Life Questionnaires were used to evaluate activity restrictions, symptoms and emotional stress. Efficacy of the training was assessed by accelerometry.

After the program, exercise children had double daily minutes in moderate-to-vigorous activities compared to controls. No differences in changes were seen between groups for asthma outcomes. However, total IgE decreased more in the exercise group, as did mite specific IgE.

Training did not increase inflammation in children with persistent asthma, and may have decrease both total and allergen specific IgE levels. We conclude there is no reason to discourage asthmatic children with a controlled disease to exercise.