Factors influencing physical activity levels in children with asthma

Purpose. The purposes of this study were to assess the amount of physical activity children with asthma participate in and to explore the factors which influence their levels of physical activity. Methods. A total of 152 children with asthma, ranging in age from 8 to 11 years, were enrolled in this study. The amount of physical activity for each child was gathered from self-reported 3-day physical activity logs (3d-PAL). Personal, diseased-related, psychological and environmental factors influencing physical activity were gathered from questionnaires completed by children and from parent interviews. Results. Only 32.9% of children with asthma took part in 20 minutes or more of vigorous physical activity (VPA) more than three times per week, much less than the 85% participation rate advised by the Healthy People 2010 objectives. Access to exercise facilities, exercise-induced attack (EIA), and gender were predictors of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (p < 0.001). Children with more access to exercise facilities (p < 0.01) and fewer episodes of EIA (p < 0.01) were more likely to engage in MVPA; furthermore, boys with asthma participated more in MVPA than girls (p<0.01). Access to team sports was the determinant of VPA (p<0.05). Conclusions. Inactive children with asthma need appropriate exercise prescriptions to increase physical activity. Pediatric practitioners can enhance physical activity by advising parents to improve access for their children to exercise facilities, prescribing appropriate treatment for EIA, and encouraging girls with asthma to be more active.