Plain language summary
Asthma is considered the most prevalent chronic disease in children. Physical exercise is one of many factors that are being investigated for their impact on asthma control. The aim of this observational study was to investigate the effect of physical activity on the control of asthma in children aged 8-16 years. About half the children had well controlled asthma. Children with controlled asthma were significantly more active than those with non-controlled asthma. Screen time, gender, and socioeconomic status, on the other hand, were not associated with asthma control.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of levels of physical activity on asthma control in children. METHODS A cross-sectional study, including public school students aged 8 to 12 years, of both sexes, with asthma, from a capital and a medium-sized cities in Southern Brazil. At home, the students answered the questionnaire on levels of physical activity and disease control. RESULTS A total of 482 schoolchildren with asthma participated in the study, with mean age of 10.9±2.2 years, and 253 (52%) were girls. Regarding disease control, 50% had controlled asthma, and 67% were considered sedentary. Schoolchildren with controlled asthma were more active than those with uncontrolled asthma (p=0.032). Active schoolchildren were more likely to have asthma controlled (OR=1.5; 95%CI: 1.04-2.25). CONCLUSION The results demonstrated an association between physical activity levels and asthma control. More active schoolchildren were more likely to have asthma controlled.
Methodological quality
Allocation concealment
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