Effect of Moderate Exercise on Ventilatory Functions of Asymptomatic First Degree Relatives of Asthamatics

Exercise induced bronchospasm (EIB) is used to describe transitory increase in airway resistance that follows after moderate exercise among individuals with underlying asthma. The present study was designed to assess ventilatory functions in healthy first degree relatives of asthmatics before and after moderate exercise. In this study thirty healthy first degree relatives of asthmatic patients, attending the OPD of TB & Chest Deptt. Chatrapati shivaji subharti Hospital Meerut comprised the-(study Group)-Group II and thirty healthy individuals age and sex matched from general population with no history asthma, atopy and hay fever were recruited as-(Control Group)-Group-I Various parameters of pulmonary function test FEV₁ (Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 sec.), FVC (Forced Vital Capacity), FEF 25–75% (Forced Expiratory Flow-_25–75%), PEFR(Peak Expiratory Flow Rate) were recorded before and after exercise. We observed more than 10% fall in FVC, FEV I%, FEF25–75%, and PEFR in 6 males and 6 females in Group II while in Group I more than 10% fall was recorded in FVC in 4 females only. We concluded that first degree relatives of asthmatic patients have higher exercises induced bronchial lability as compared to healthy controls with no history of atopy.