Review: physical training increases cardiopulmonary fitness in asthma and does not decrease lung function
Q In patients with asthma, does physical training improve respiratory and general health?
METHODS
Data sources:
Cochrane Airways Group Specialised Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medline (1966 to May 2005), EMBASE/Excerpta Medica (1980 to May 2005), SportDiscus (1949 to May 2005), Current Contents (1995 to May 2005), Science Citation Index (1995 to May 2005), and reference lists of relevant studies.
Study selection and assessment:
randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in any language that compared physical training (whole body aerobic exercise lasting 20–30 min 2–3 times/wk) for ⩾4 weeks with usual activity (no encouragement or training) in patients ⩾8 years of age with asthma. Methodological quality assessment of individual trials included allocation concealment, blinding, baseline comparability, outcome measures, and handling of withdrawals and dropouts.
Outcomes:
bronchodilator use, episodes of wheeze, symptoms, exercise …
