Table 6 A summary of the randomized controlled trials on the effects of aerobic exercise on asthma control.

França-Pinto et al.⁹

São Paolo, Brazil

Parallel

two-arm

12-week

RCT

Outpatients, aged 20–59 yrs; moderate or severe persistent asthma:

22 in exercise intervention;

21 in reference group

Intensive aerobic training 2x per week under suprvision

Asthma Control Questionnaire score

Baseline score:

1.4 points (SD 1.2)

Change:

0.2

95% CI: −0.3 to 0.5

Baseline score:

1.6 points (SD 0.9)

Change:

0.1

95% CI: −2.1 to 0.5

0.2 points

95% CI: −0.3 to 0.7

P = 0.457

Freitas et al.¹⁰

São Paolo, Brazil

Parallel

two-arm

12-week

RCT

Outpatients, aged 30–60 yrs; moderate or severe asthma; obese (BMI 35- < 40):

27 in exercise & weight loss;

28 in weight loss group;

Intensive aerobic training and muscle exercise 2x per week

Asthma Control Questionnaire score

69% of subjects improved

Baseline score:

2.0 (95% CI: 1.4 to 2.7)

Follow-up score:

1.1 (0.4 to 1.5)

Change:

0.9 (P < 0.001)

36% subjects improved

No change between baseline and follow-up score

Difference

P = 0.03

Toennesen et al.¹¹

Copenhagen, Denmark

Parallel

four-arm

8-week

RCT

Normal weight adults, aged 18–65 yrs:

36 in exercise intervention;

38 in dietary intervention;

37 in exercise & dietary

38 in reference group

Intensive aerobic interval training 3x per week under supervision

Asthma Control Questionnaire score

Exercise:

Baseline score:

1.7 (SD 0.6)

Change:

0.7

Exercise & diet:

1.9 (SD 0.7)

0.9

Baseline score:

1.8 (SD 0.7)

Change:

0.3

Ex vs. Ref:

0.4 points

95% CI: −0.01 to 0.78

P = 0.06

Ex & diet vs. Ref:

0.6 points

95% CI: 0.14 to 1.02

P < 0.05

Jaakkola et al. the present study

Oulu, Finland

Parallel

two-arm

24-week

RCT

Adults with mild/moderate asthma, aged 16–65 yrs;

67 in exercise intervention;

64 in reference group

Personalized aerobic training 3x per week, muscle training 2x per week and stretching before and after training

Asthma Control

Test score

62% of subjects improved;

Baseline score:

Median 21

(IQR 18 to 22)

Change:

1.19 points

95% CI: 0.36 to 2.02

P = 0.006

39% of subjects improved

Baseline score:

Median 22

(IQR 20 to 23)

Change:

0.45 points

95% CI: −0.22 to 1.12

P = 0.178

23.3%

95% CI: 2.7 to 43.8

P = 0.032

Crude:

0.74 points

95% CI: −0.31 to 1.78

P = 0.166

Adjusted:

3.99 points

1.32 to 6.66

P = 0.004