Effect of physical exercise on pulmonary function and clinical manifestations by asthmatic patients

Background: Asthma is one the most common respiratory disease that produce high rates of
mortality. Upper and lower limbs exercises are a basic component of pulmonary rehabilitation in
asthmatic patients, and can result in improvement of sign & symptoms of asthmatic patients. The
purpose of this study was evaluation of the effects of physical exercises on pulmonary function and
clinical manifestations and signs & symptoms of asthmatic patients
Material & Methods: The samples included 21 asthmatic patients that participated in a physical
exercise program. The researcher followed test- re- test design in the present study. Patients took
part physical exercises in 3 stages including: warming up, exercise, and cooling down for four
weeks (each session for forty five minutes) under controlled conditions and supervision of the
researcher. The data were collected using an asthma clinical manifestations questionnaire and
pulmonary function test (spirometery). The questionnaires were administered at beginning of the
program and four weeks after the application of program. Parameters considered in spirometry
includes: FEV1, FVC, FEV1 /FVC, PEF, FEF%25, FEF%25-%75.
Results: Physical exercise program was effective in improvement pulmonary function of
asthmatic patients, (P=0.0001).
Conclusion: The results indicate that asthmatic patients would benefit from a physical training
program and such a physical exercise program can be adapted for use in clinical practice.