Effects of a Pedometer-based Unsupervised Exercise Program Upon Lifestyle Physical Activity of Asthmatic Adults

Effects of a Pedometer-based Unsupervised Exercise Program Upon Lifestyle Physical Activity of Asthmatic Adults

Effects of a Pedometer-based Unsupervised Exercise Program Upon Lifestyle Physical Activity of Asthmatic Adults

The purpose of this study is to determine whether a pedometer-based unsupervised exercise program is more effective than a general exercise recommendation to increase lifestyle physical activity in adult patients with asthma.

The patients will be randomized in two groups: the intervention group will receive a standardized advice to physical activity practice plus pedometers and step goals to achieve over the next twelve weeks and the control group will receive the same standardized advice to physical activity practice and usual care.

After baseline assessments, the control group will receive a educational session, regarding important aspects of asthma (symptoms, treatment, exacerbations, triggers, etc) plus a unsupervised exercise prescription (walking, 5 times per week, for at least 30 minutes) and a pedometer-based physical activity prescription, consisting of targets to be achieved (in terms of steps per day).

After baseline assessments, the control group will receive a educational session, regarding important aspects of asthma (symptoms, treatment, exacerbations, triggers, etc) plus a unsupervised exercise prescription (walking, 5 times per week, for at least 30 minutes).

After baseline assessments, both groups will receive a educational session, regarding important aspects of asthma plus a unsupervised exercise prescription (walking, 5 times per week, for at least 30 minutes). Only the experimental group will receive a pedometer-based physical activity prescription, consisting of targets (steps per day) to be achieved. The initial target will be determined based on the average of steps per day assessed during the baseline assessments plus 1000 steps. The targets will be biweekly. Both groups will be contact once a week (by phone) and will be asked to return for asthma control assessments once a month.

The lifestyle physical activity will be estimated as the mean number of steps taken in six days using a pedometer (SW200, YAMAX,Tokyo, Japan)

Asthma Health related quality of life will be assessed through the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire.

Inclusion Criteria: Asthma diagnosis for at least 6 months (according to Global Initiative for Asthma criteria) Regular drug therapy (inhaled corticosteroids or inhaled corticosteroids plus long-acting beta-agonists) Clinical stability during the run-in period (3 weeks) Exclusion Criteria: Physical activity practice over once a week Disabling musculoskeletal disease Cardiopathy Other lung disease More than 10 pack-years of smoking Pregnancy Refusal to participate