The Relationship between Patient's Duration of Indonesian Asthma Gymnastics in Persahabatan Hospital Asthma Club, Indonesia, with the Post-Exercise Peak Expiratory Flow Rate

Abstract

Introduction: Indonesian Asthma Gymnastics (IAG) is a modified exercise that is intended for asthmatic patients to improve their breath pattern to become more controlled and healthy. This study was conducted to determine whether IAG triggers exercise-induced asthma (EIA), whether the duration of following IAG affect the value of peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) post-exercise, and the effect of age, gender, smoking history, and BMI on PEFR value post-exercise.Methodology: A Total of 24 subjects who had performed IAG for at least 1 month, were measured their PEFR values before and after performing IAG using a peak flow meter. Information regarding age, gender, and smoking history was obtained from the interview. While height and weight, to determine body mass index (BMI), were obtained through direct examination.Results: All subjects were spared from EIA may be because they have performed the IAG for at least one month. However, a longer period of IAG does not make the post-exercise peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) to be better (p = 0.447) but keeps lung function optimally. Furthermore, age and gender have no effect on post-exercise PEFR if their respective roles are assessed individually (p = 0.698; 0.721; respectively). In addition, former smokers who have long quit smoking, their previous smoking history no longer affect the value of post-exercise PEFR (p = 0.310). Lastly, increased BMI is not associated with decreased the post-exercise PEFR (p = 0.707). Conclusion: IAG does not trigger EIA in asthmatic patient. The addition of duration of joining IAG does not improve the post-exercise PEFR. Age and gender are interrelated in affecting post-exercise PEFR. Smoking history of people who have long quit smoking and increased BMI does not affect post-exercise PEFR.