A Study of Physical Fitness Level in Asthmatic Children as Compared to Normal Children

Since decades there is a lack of firm conclusion and there are controversial evidences about the physical fitness in Asthmatics as compared to their healthy counterparts.

To assess physical fitness in Asthmatics and to compare it with normal school children of 15 to 16 years of age.

50 normal and 50 diagnosed mild to moderate Asthmatics completed physical fitness assessment which included 1. Six minute walk test(6MWT) 2. Muscular strength and endurance and 3.Flexibility.

Comparison of rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) at varies time intervals between Asthmatic and Normal children has shown significant (p < 0.05) differences. PEFR was low in asthmatics at all time intervals. RPE was significantly higher in asthmatics following 6MWT.The mean distance covered by Asthmatics was less (568.14) compared to Normal's (693.32) with 6MWT. There was no significant difference in muscle strength between two groups however normal's performed better with pushups. Flexibility in asthmatics was significantly lower compared to normals

Asthmatics have lower physical fitness level than Normal children