Context

Exercise is a well-known trigger for asthma symptoms. In patients with asthma, strenuous physical activity increases the risk of an asthma attack, with a ‘U’-shaped curve showing that moderate exercise training carries a lower risk of asthma compared to high-intensity exercise training. Lack of physical activity appears to be independently associated with increased bronchial hyper-responsiveness (BHR).1 These observations are confirmed by a growing number of murine studies, but reviews examining the epidemiological evidence for such associations in humans show that the overall evidence on exercise and asthma is, at best, very low.2 ,3 França-Pinto et al carried out a randomised controlled trial (RCT) investigating the effect of exercise on asthma-related outcomes in patients with asthma.

Findings

At 12-week follow-up, 22 participants in the TG and 21 in the CG had complete data. The TG improved in BHR compared to the CG (PC₂₀ of 1 dd; 95% CI 0.3 to 1.7 dd). The TG group also had a statistically significant reduction in serum levels of some cytokines (interleukin (IL) 6; p=0.042) and MCP-1 (Monocyte Chemo-attractant Protein); p=0.045) and fewer asthma exacerbations than the TG (p<0.05). No differences were observed between groups in other markers (IL-5, IL-8 and IL-10, IgE, asthma symptoms, FeNO and induced sputum). IL-4, tumour necrosis factor (TNF) α and RANTES were outside the limits of assay and were not analysed. Overall AQLQ improved in TG (p<0.05).

Commentary

The authors show that an adequately planned aerobic training programme in patients with asthma can improve disease. The main contribution of this RCT lies in the well-designed exercise programme, the strict follow-up, the inclusion of patients under proper medical treatment and the use of a gold-standard to measure changes in BHR. The study was further strengthened by the low attrition bias at follow-up. It is therefore plausible that the changes observed in BHR and asthma exacerbations are due to the introduction of aerobic exercise, while the possibility of a synergic effect of aerobic and yoga exercises cannot be completely excluded.

Experimental evidence shows that low-to-moderate intensity aerobic exercise reduces inflammation and remodelling.5 The authors correctly state that serum cytokine levels may not necessarily reflect airway inflammation; however, exercise training effects are more detectable in the systemic immune response.6 This paper partially supports these findings, showing a reduction in IL-6 and MCP-1. No changes in IL-5, IL-8 and IL-10 are in partial disagreement with animal studies. Finally, because of the lack of measurement of IL-4, TNFα and RANTES, it was not possible to reinforce recent data showing a reduction of IL-4 after regular exercise.7

Implications for practice

This study shows that a programme of regular aerobic exercise can lead to a reduction in BHR and asthma exacerbations, and to an improved quality of life, in patients with asthma. These results suggest that exercise should be included as a part of a comprehensive care plan for the patient with asthma.