The objective of this study was to investigate whether exercise training improves functional exercise capacity and QOL in middle-aged and older adults with fixed airway obstruction asthma (FAOA). Methods: 35 subjects aged 67.8 +/- 10.6 years, with FEV(1) 59 +/- 16% of predicted, were randomised to a 6-week ‘intervention’ period of supervised exercise training (n = 20) or usual care (n = 15). This period was preceded by a 3-week run-in period during which asthma control was assessed weekly. Functional exercise capacity (6-min walk distance, 6MWD) and QOL (Asthma QOL Questionnaire, AQLQ) were measured before, immediately following and 3 months after the intervention period. 34 subjects completed the intervention period. Relative to the control group, the exercise group had greater improvements immediately following and 3 months after the intervention in the AQLQ symptom domain and AQLQ activity limitation domain. 6MWD increased in the exercise group immediately following training and remained elevated at the 3-month follow-up. The magnitude of change in 6MWD between groups was not significant, despite no change in the control group.
Supervised exercise training improves symptoms and QOL in adults with FAOA.