Patients with asthma have reduced functional capacity and sedentary behavior.

OBJECTIVE: The modified shuttle test is a field test that avoids the ceiling effect, and there are no reports of a multidimensional assessment concerning physical activity in asthmatic patients. Thus, the aim was to evaluate functional capacity by MST, additionally to perform a multidimensional assessment as physical activity in daily life, muscle strength, and cytokine levels in children and adolescents with asthma, and to correlate these variables. METHOD: This cross-sectional study included volunteers aged between 6 and 18 years who were divided into two groups: asthma group (n=43) that received regular treatment and control group (n=24). Functional capacity was evaluated by distance walked during the MST; physical activity in daily life was evaluated using an accelerometer by the number of steps. Quadriceps femoris strength was evaluated by load cell. RESULTS: Distance walked was lower for the asthma group (790m [222m]) when compared with the control group (950m [240m]; p=0.007); however, the number of steps was similar between the two groups (asthma group: 7743 [3075]; control group: 7181 [3040]; p=0.41), and both groups were classified as sedentary behavior. There was no difference in muscle strength. Tumor necrosis factor-α differed, but interleukin levels were similar between groups. Quadriceps strength was correlated to distance walked (r=0.62; p<0.001) and tumor necrosis factor-α to the number of steps taken (r=-0.54, p=0.005). CONCLUSION: Children and adolescents undergoing regular asthma treatment showed reduced functional capacity and sedentary behavior. The lower the quadriceps strength, the shorter the distance walked; the higher the tumor necrosis factor-α levels, the lower their daily physical activity levels.

Patients with asthma have reduced functional capacity and sedentary behavior / Pacientes com asma apresentam redução da capacidade funcional e comportamento sedentário

Abstract Objective The modified shuttle test is a field test that avoids the ceiling effect, and there are no reports of a multidimensional assessment concerning physical activity in asthmatic patients. Thus, the aim was to evaluate functional capacity by MST, additionally to perform a multidimensional assessment as physical activity in daily life, muscle strength, and cytokine levels in children and adolescents with asthma, and to correlate these variables. Method This cross-sectional study included volunteers aged between 6 and 18 years who were divided into two groups: asthma group (n = 43) that received regular treatment and control group (n = 24). Functional capacity was evaluated by distance walked during the MST; physical activity in daily life was evaluated using an accelerometer by the number of steps. Quadriceps femoris strength was evaluated by load cell. Results Distance walked was lower for the asthma group (790 m [222 m]) when compared with the control group (950 m [240 m]; p = 0.007); however, the number of steps was similar between the two groups (asthma group: 7743 [3075]; control group: 7181 [3040]; p = 0.41), and both groups were classified as sedentary behavior. There was no difference in muscle strength. Tumor necrosis factor-α differed, but interleukin levels were similar between groups. Quadriceps strength was correlated to distance walked (r = 0.62; p < 0.001) and tumor necrosis factor-α to the number of steps taken (r = −0.54, p = 0.005). Conclusion Children and adolescents undergoing regular asthma treatment showed reduced functional capacity and sedentary behavior. The lower the quadriceps strength, the shorter the distance walked; the higher the tumor necrosis factor-α levels, the lower their daily physical activity levels.

Resumo Objetivo O Teste Shuttle Modificado é um teste clínico de campo que evita o efeito-teto e não existem relatos de avaliação multidimensional com relação à atividade física em pacientes com asma. Assim, o objetivo era avaliar a capacidade funcional, a atividade física na vida cotidiana, a força muscular e os níveis de citocina em crianças e adolescentes com asma, a fim de correlacionar essas variáveis. Método Este estudo transversal incluiu voluntários entre seis e 18 anos, os quais foram divididos em dois grupos: o grupo com asma (n = 43), que recebeu tratamento regular, e o grupo de controle (n = 24). A capacidade funcional foi avaliada pela distância percorrida durante o Teste Shuttle Modificado, ao passo que a atividade física na vida cotidiana foi avaliada utilizando um acelerômetro pelo número de passos. A força muscular do quadríceps femoral foi avaliada por uma célula de carga. Resultados A distância percorrida foi menor no grupo com asma (790 m [222 m]) em comparação com o grupo de controle (950 m [240 m]; p = 0,007), contudo o número de passos foi semelhante nos dois grupos (grupo com asma: 7.743 [3.075]; grupo de controle: 7.181 [3.040]; p = 0,41) e ambos os grupos foram classificados como sedentários. Não houve diferença na avaliação da força muscular. O fator de necrose tumoral-α apresentou divergências, porém os níveis de interleucina foram semelhantes entre os grupos. A força muscular do quadríceps foi correlacionada com a distância percorrida (r: 0,62; p < 0,001) e o fator de necrose tumoral-α, ao número de passos dados (r = −0,54, p = 0,005). Conclusão Crianças e adolescentes que recebem tratamento regular de asma apresentaram redução da capacidade funcional e comportamento sedentário. Quanto menor a força muscular do quadríceps, menor a distância percorrida; quanto maiores os níveis de fator de necrose tumoral-α, menores seus níveis diários de atividade física.