BACKGROUND: Exercise-induced asthma is a syndrome characterized by dyspnea, thoracic pain, cough, sibilant rales and diminished physical performance. It appears into the first 30 minutes after the beginning of physical activity. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate calisthenic effect on maximal expiratory flow rate in asthmatic patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective, observational and descriptive study was done through a soccer game. Male and female asthmatic patients from 6 to 16 years old with intermittent and mild asthma were included. Maximal expiratory flow rate was measured before the beginning of soccer game, and then, at the end of the first and second sets. Statistical analysis was made through the media values comparison and t Student test. RESULTS: 60 patients were included. They were 11.3 +/- 2.4 mean aged. 45% had diagnosis of mild asthma, 36.6% mild asthma and allergic rhinitis and 6.6% persistent asthma. Average of basal maximal expiratory flow rate was 275 +/- 90 L/s, and no significant changes were observed in 52 patients: mean maximal expiratory flow rate at the end of first and second sets was 275 +/- 86 L/s and 273 +/- 96 L/s, respectively. Maximal expiratory flow rate diminished at 77 +/- 3.8% and 83 +/- 9.5% in the other eight patients at the end of the first and second sets, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Calisthenic made before physical activity prevents maximal expiratory flow rate diminishment.
BACKGROUND: Exercise-induced asthma is a syndrome characterized by dyspnea, thoracic pain, cough, sibilant rales and diminished physical performance. It appears into the first 30 minutes after the beginning of physical activity. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate calisthenic effect on maximal expiratory flow rate in asthmatic patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective, observational and descriptive study was done through a soccer game. Male and female asthmatic patients from 6 to 16 years old with intermittent and mild asthma were included. Maximal expiratory flow rate was measured before the beginning of soccer game, and then, at the end of the first and second sets. Statistical analysis was made through the media values comparison and t Student test. RESULTS: 60 patients were included. They were 11.3 +/- 2.4 mean aged. 45% had diagnosis of mild asthma, 36.6% mild asthma and allergic rhinitis and 6.6% persistent asthma. Average of basal maximal expiratory flow rate was 275 +/- 90 L/s, and no significant changes were observed in 52 patients: mean maximal expiratory flow rate at the end of first and second sets was 275 +/- 86 L/s and 273 +/- 96 L/s, respectively. Maximal expiratory flow rate diminished at 77 +/- 3.8% and 83 +/- 9.5% in the other eight patients at the end of the first and second sets, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Calisthenic made before physical activity prevents maximal expiratory flow rate diminishment.