Abstract
Continuum training (CT) decreases inflammation and increases the clinical control in asthmatics, but the effects of high intensity interval training (HIIT) in these patients is poorly known.
Aim: To compare the effects of the CT versus HIIT in clinical control, aerobic fitness, airway inflammation and dyspnea in patients with moderate and severe asthma.
Methods: This prospective, randomized and blinded trial included 32 asthmatics under optimized medication and clinically stable divided in continuous training (CT, n=17; 70-85% of maximal heart rate) HIIT (bouts 30sec x 30sec; 80-140% of Wattsmax; n=16). The intervention lasted 12 wks (2xwk, 40 min./session) and the intensity was based on the cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET). Asthma clinical control (ACQ), aerobic fitness (CPET), endurance resistance (TLim), airway inflammation (FeNO) and dyspnea were measured.
Results: No difference between the groups was observed at the baseline. After interventions, the HIIT group presented an improvement in clinical control (>0.5 point) in the ACQ-6 score (1.25 (±1.09), ACQ-7 score 1.48(±0.96), but not in CT 1.27(±1.85) and 1.62(±1.08). CT and HIIT increased peakVO2 compared with the baseline (p<0.05) but without difference between them (p>0.05). The HIIT reduced the dyspnea during exercise (p<0.05) compared with CT but not leg fatigue, and the FeNO was not reduced in the both groups (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Interval training seems to have a better effect to improve asthma control that is possibly related to reduction in dyspnea in asthmatics.
- Copyright ©the authors 2016
