Physical conditioning may be indicated for a large number of subjects with asthma in an attempt to increase the usefulness of their lives."
This was the major conclusion of Irving H. Itkin, MD, chief, Department of Asthma-Allergy, National Jewish Hospital, Denver, following a study of the effects of exercise on 39 inpatients there.
The patients, adolescents and young adults, were observed for two periods of three months each. During each period, one group of patients served as controls, participating in normal hospital activities but not permitted to take on additional physical exertion. A second group was asked to participate in two hours of exercise, five days a week. This included an hour of calisthenics—sit-ups, push-ups, pullups, weight lifting, and stationary bicycle riding—and one hour of planned sports activities. At the end of the first three months, the two groups reversed their roles for the second test period.
Forced expiratory volume