Effect of Submaximal Warm-up Exercise on Exercise-induced Asthma in African School Children.

BACKGROUND

Regular physical activity has long been regarded as an important component of a healthy lifestyle. Exercise-induced asthma (EIA) is one of the major problems interfering with the performance of exercise. A warm-up exercise programme has been cited as a non-pharmacologic means of reducing EIA, but its effect has not been fully elucidated.

OBJECTIVE

The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of unrecognized EIA in Pretoria primary school children, determine the effect of a warm-up exercise programme on EIA and to establish the relationship between history of allergy, family history of asthma and EIA.

METHODS

A random sample of 640 school children was selected. The study was divided into three phases. In phase one, a descriptive cross-sectional study was done using the standardized European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) questionnaire. In phase two, non-asthmatic participants that returned a completed questionnaire were included in the field study. Pre-test and post-test experimental designs were used, where peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) was measured at baseline and within ten minutes after exercise. A total of 340 subjects completed the Free Running Asthma Screening Test (FRAST); EIA was defined as a decrease in baseline PEFR ≥ 10% after exercise and 75 children (22%) had EIA. In phase three, 29 of the 75 subjects participated in the warm-up programme which was performed in the laboratory and subjects acted as their own controls. Predefined protocols for the study were followed.

RESULTS

Seventy-five (22%) of the 340 participants had EIA. The mean age, height and weight were 10.51 years, 139.26 cm and 33.45 kg, respectively. Exercise-induced asthma symptoms were cough (25%), chest pain (16%), wheeze (12%) and chest tightness (12%). The history of allergy was 75%, family history of allergy 40% and positive history of allergy when near animals, feathers or in dusty areas 38%. Wheezing during or after exercise, wheezing when near animals, feathers or in dusty areas and chest pain was significant (p < 0.05). The mean PEFR after exercise without warm-up was 4.43 L/min. The mean PEFR after exercise (warm-up) was 4.98. The mean percentage change in PEFR between exercise without warm-up and exercise with warm-up was 14.83%. The paired t-test showed a significant difference between PEFR with warm-up and PEFR without warm-up (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

There was a high prevalence of EIA among study participants. Exercise-induced asthma symptoms were significant for wheezing and chest pain. Exercise after warm-up was significant in reducing EIA. This study reports the effect of warm-up exercise on EIA and highlights the need to screen school children for EIA.