Asthma, Asthma Chronic, Asthma Control
Conditions
Keywords
asthma control, pulmonary function, swimming, inspiratory muscle training, children, asthma
Brief summary
This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of adding inspiratory muscle training (IMT) to a structured swimming program on pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, ventilatory capacity, perceived exertion, and asthma control in children with mild persistent asthma. Thirty children aged 8-11 years were randomly assigned to either a swimming plus IMT group or a swimming-only group. Both groups participated in a supervised 4-week swimming program, while the experimental group additionally performed IMT twice daily. Pulmonary function tests, respiratory muscle strength, and Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT) scores were assessed before and after the intervention.
Detailed description
Asthma-related airway obstruction and respiratory muscle dysfunction may limit exercise tolerance and disease control in children. Swimming is considered a safe and beneficial exercise modality for pediatric asthma due to its humid environment and controlled breathing patterns. Inspiratory muscle training specifically targets respiratory muscle weakness and may further enhance pulmonary adaptations. This parallel-group randomized controlled trial examined whether combining IMT with swimming training yields superior improvements in lung function, respiratory muscle strength, ventilatory capacity, perceived exertion, and asthma control compared with swimming training alone. The intervention lasted four weeks, with objective pulmonary and respiratory muscle assessments conducted pre- and post-intervention.
Interventions
OTHERSwimming Training Only (Control Group)
Participants completed a supervised swimming training program for 4 weeks, consisting of three 60-minute sessions per week. Sessions included warm-up, main swimming exercises, and cool-down breathing exercises. Exercise intensity was maintained at approximately 65% of maximal heart rate.
OTHERSwimming + Inspiratory Muscle Training (Experimental Group)
Participants completed the same swimming training program as the control group. In addition, inspiratory muscle training was performed using a threshold pressure-loading device. IMT was conducted twice daily, starting at 30% of maximal inspiratory pressure and progressively increased by 5% weekly, over a 4-week period.
Sponsors
Gümüşhane Universıty
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
Intervention Model Parallel Assignment
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
8 Years to 11 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Children aged 8-11 years * Clinically diagnosed mild persistent asthma according to GINA guidelines * Baseline FEV₁ ≥ 80% predicted * Stable asthma treatment for at least 4 weeks * Written informed consent from parents or guardians
Exclusion criteria
* Mild intermittent, moderate, or severe persistent asthma * Acute asthma exacerbation during the study * Other chronic respiratory, cardiovascular, or neuromuscular diseases * Recent upper respiratory tract infection * Use of medications affecting pulmonary function other than standard asthma therapy
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIP) | 4 weeks | Measured using a handheld respiratory pressure device to assess inspiratory muscle strength. |
| Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV₁) | 4 weeks | Assessed via spirometry to evaluate pulmonary function. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁) was measured using the spirometry method to assess lung function. FEV₁ values were reported as a percentage of the predicted value (% predicted) based on reference values. While there is no theoretical minimum or maximum limit for the measurement, higher FEV₁ values indicate better pulmonary function. |
| Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT) Score | 4 weeks | Validated questionnaire assessing asthma symptom control in children. The Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT) is a self-report questionnaire used to assess the level of asthma symptom control in children over the past 4 weeks, with proven validity and reliability. The total scale score ranges from 0 to 27, with higher scores indicating better asthma control. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rating of Perceived Exertion (Borg Scale) | 4 week | Rating of Perceived Exertion (Borg Scale), The Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale (Borg Scale; 6-20) is a validated and reliable measure used to assess the level of exertion individuals perceive during exercise or physical activity over the past 4 weeks. Scale scores range from 6 to 20, with higher scores indicating a higher level of perceived exertion and, consequently, a poorer outcome. |
| Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV) | 4 week | Assessed via spirometry to evaluate pulmonary function. Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV) |
| Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) | 4 week | Assessed via spirometry to evaluate pulmonary function. Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) |
| Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) | 4 week | Assessed via spirometry to evaluate pulmonary function. Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORCoşkun YILMAZ, associate professor
Gümüşhane Universıty
Outcome results
None listed