A Study of Physical Fitness Level in Asthmatic Children as Compared to Normal Children Chatarkar K M1, Jiandani M P2, Athavale A U3, Mehta A A4 1Physiotherapist, USA 2Associate Professor, PT School &Centre, Seth G.S. Medical College & KEMH, Mumbai 3Prof. & Head, Department of Chest Medicine, Seth GS Medical College & KEMH, Mumbai 4Professor and Head, PT School & Centre, Seth G.S. Medical College & KEMH, Mumbai Corresponding author: Chatarkar Kanchan M, 8318 Neilston Crossing Drive,Westerville -43081 Ohio USA. Email: kanchan_chatarkar@yahoo.co.in
Online published on 15 January, 2013. Abstract Background 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. Objective To assess physical fitness in Asthmatics and to compare it with normal school children of 15 to 16 years of age. Study design 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. Results 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 Conclusion Asthmatics have lower physical fitness level than Normal children Top Keywords Asthma, fitness, 6 minute walk test, flexibility. Top |