Abstract

BACKGROUND: In an earlier randomised controlled trial, the EFFORT Asthma study, we showed that sedentary patients with asthma were able to adhere to a high-intensity training program and increase exercise capacity (VO2max) significantly within 8 weeks of intervention.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine if the observed improvements in exercise capacity persisted after 12 months as an indicator of whether the 8-week training program had led to lasting behavioural changes.

METHODS: 12 months after the intervention, patients were invited for a follow-up visit that included clinical assessment and measurements of VO2 max with incremental bicycle tests. Of the 149 patients from the original study, 66 patients (44%) participated in the 12-month follow-up study. Of those, 33 patients had received the training intervention, 27 were in the control group, and 6 were excluded. Loss to follow-up analyse was performed.

RESULTS:
In both groups, exercise capacity regressed to pre-intervention levels one year after the intervention. The training intervention group’s pre- and post- values didn’t differ significantly
2894ml/min; 2848 ml/min, (p=0,494) . Furthermore, there was no significant difference in exercise capacity between the training and control group at the 1 year follow-up, mean difference 23,60 ml/min, (p=0,369).Thus, 12 months after the intervention, VO2max levels had regressed to pre-intervention levels in the exercise group.

CONCLUSION: In sedentary patients with asthma, an 8-week high-intensity training intervention does not seem to lead to lasting improvements in exercise capacity.