An investigation into the relationship between anaerobic work capacity, percentage body fat and the grade of asthma in asthmatics and a healthy control group
Date
1991
Authors
Burger M.
Geyer M.
Regel W.
Smit G.M.
Terblanche E.
Hendry J.A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The goal of this study was to compare the anaerobic working capacity of asthmatic children to that of a healthy control group and to ascertain the relationship between the degree of asthma, anaerobic exercise and percentage body fat. A total of 41 children, 21 asthmatics and 20 healthy children (13-18 years) were tested. Three variables - percentage body fat, pulmonary function and fitness - were measured. It was found that there is very little difference between the asthmatic and the healthy child, with regard to anthropometric measurements, fitness and anaerobic working capacity. A poor correlation was found between percentage body fat, pulmonary function and anaerobic working capacity. The results further showed that there is a slight correlation between the percentage body fat and anaerobic working capacity. This tendency can only be confirmed with a larger random sample of children. The researchers conclude that asthmatics, irrespective of the degree of asthma, are not restricted as far as anaerobic activities are concerned. They can therefore lead a normal healthy life and, as far as anaerobic exericise is concerned, can competee on equal terms with healthy children.
Description
Keywords
adolescent, anaerobic capacity, article, asthma, clinical article, controlled study, diagnosis, exercise test, female, fitness, forced expiratory volume, human, human experiment, male, normal human
Citation
South African Journal of Physiotherapy
47
2
47
2