Original Research

An investigation into the relationship between anaerobic work capacity, percentage body fat and the grade of asthma in asthmatics and a healthy control group

M. Burger, M. Geyer, W. Regel, G. M. Smit, E. Terblanche, J. A. Hendry
South African Journal of Physiotherapy | Vol 47, No 2 | a761 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v47i2.761 | © 2018 M. Burger, M. Geyer, W. Regel, G. M. Smit, E. Terblanche, J. A. Hendry | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 27 September 2018 | Published: 31 May 1991

About the author(s)

M. Burger, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa
M. Geyer, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa
W. Regel, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa
G. M. Smit, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa
E. Terblanche, Department of Physiology, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa
J. A. Hendry, Department of Physiotherapy, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa

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Abstract

The goal of this study was to compare the anaerobic working capacity of asthmatic children to that of a healthy control group and to ascertain the relationship between the degree of asthma, anaerobic exercise and percentage body fat. A total of 41 children, 21 asthmatics and 20 healthy children (13-18 years) were tested. Three variables - percentage body fat, pulmonary function and fitness - were measured. It was found that there is very little difference between the asthmatic and the healthy child, with regard to anthropometric measurements, fitness and anaerobic working capacity. A poor correlation was found between percentage body fat, pulmonary function and anaerobic working capacity. The results further showed that there is a slight correlation between the percentage body fat and anaerobic working capacity. This tendency can only be confirmed with a larger random sample of children.
The researchers conclude that asthmatics, irrespective of the degree of asthma, are not restricted as far as anaerobic activities are concerned. They can  therefore lead a normal healthy life and, as far as anaerobic exercise is  concerned, can compete on equal terms with healthy children.

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