Ventilatory functions response to breathing training versus aerobic training in asthmatic children

Background: There is worldwide public interest in physical therapies for asthma. Objective: To compare the effects of a program of breathing training and aerobic training on ventilatory functions in children with bronchial asthma. Methods: Forty asthmatic children from both genders (22 boys and 18 girls) were recruited to participate with age range 6-13 years. The children were divided into two groups of equal number, group A received a program of breathing training and group B received a program of aerobic training on cycle ergometer three times per week for three months. Ventilatory functions were measured before beginning and after finishing the training. Results: The results showed high statistical significant differences in the FVC, FEV_1, PEF, FEF_25-75% and MVV within each group while on comparing the two groups, the ventilatory functions were comparable. Conclusion: Breathing training and aerobic training can be used as a safe complement to medical treatment in asthma.