Exercise conditioning in children with asthma.

A controlled study of 20 children with asthma who participated in a 4-month running program (30 min/day, 3 days/wk), using inhalation of a beta-2 stimulant prior to each running session to prevent exercise-induced asthma, showed significant increases in work tolerance (120.5 +/- 45.0 W before, 131.5 +/- 43.5 W after, P = 0.002) and cardiopulmonary fitness (peak oxygen consumption 37.6 +/- 8.6 ml/kg/min before, 43.1 +/- 10.5 ml/kg/min after, P less than 0.001). Asthma severity judged by daily asthma diary scores and twice daily peak flows did not change. Thirteen control patients with asthma did not exercise and demonstrated no change in work tolerance, fitness, or severity of asthma. Thus, children with asthma can safely engage in a running program and can increase work tolerance and fitness without worsening their asthma.