%0 Journal Article
%T Influence of environmental temperature and humidity on the acute ventilatory response to exercise of asthmatic adolescents
%A Ana Silva
%A Hans Joachim Appell
%A Jose Alberto Duarte
%J Archives of Exercise in Health and Disease
%D 2011
%I Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL)
%X Objectives: This study aimed to analyse the influence of moderate changes in air temperature and humidity on the acute ventilatory response to exercise in asthmatic children. Methods: 7 asthmatics over 15 years old (Experimental Group, EG), and 7 healthy subjects with the same characteristics (Control Group, CG) performed an exercise protocol in 2 different environments, interspaced by 48 hours: hot+humid environment (HH, temperature: 32.6¡À0.4oC, relative humidity: 42.4¡À1.6%) and an environment with less humidity+lower temperature (LHLT, temperature: 24.0¡À0.9oC, relative humidity: 36.3¡À1.3%). Steady state values of cardio- respiratory parameters were monitored during exercise, being the forced expiratory volume in 1st second (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) obtained immediately before exercise and after 5 minutes of recovery. Results: The EG experienced a post-exercise decrease of FEV1 in LHLT (90.6¡À9.6%, p<0.05) and HH (95.2¡À5.8%, p<0.05) while CG did not show post-exercise changes in both environments (103.7¡À11.2% vs. 101.2¡À4.9%, respectively). The EG showed a post-exercise PEF decrease in the LTLH (94.6¡À8.8%, p<0.05) and no changes in the HH environment (99.7¡À4.2%), while CG did not show significant changes in both environments (102.9¡À12.7% vs. 107.0¡À9.8%). Conclusion: Results allow concluding that ventilatory response to exercise is influenced by air temperature and humidity, with a HH environment being more favourable for asthmatics.
%K Bronchoconstriction
%K FEV1
%K PEF
%K asthma
%K airways response
%U http://ciafel.fade.up.pt/ojs/index.php/AEHD/article/view/20/2011.20