Physical Activity of Asthmatic and Nonasthmatic Children

Questionnaires examining behaviors and attitudes related to physical activity and asthma were administered to 408 urban schoolchildren aged 11-13 years. Asthmatics (16% of the sample) were more frequently active and were more anxious prior to exercise than nonasthmatics, but did not differ significantly from nonasthmatics in enjoyment of exercise or in physical self-concept. The motives for performing exercise or sport were similar in the two groups, although the asthmatics perceived less pressure to be active from parents or school than the nonasthmatics. It is concluded that asthmatic children have favorable behaviors and attitudes in relation to exercise and sport.