Table 2 Baseline characteristics of the 89 participants analysed, The Regular Exercise and Asthma Control Trial [REACT].

From: Regular exercise improves asthma control in adults: A randomized controlled trial

Total

Intervention group

Reference group

Difference between the groups

Analysed

Analysed

N = 44

N = 45

Test statistic, P-value

Age, Mean (SD)

39.7 (14.06)

32.9 (10.72)

t value = −2.56, 0.012

Age group

   18–29

12 (27.3)

23 (51.1)

Chi-square (d.f. = 2) = 7.5521

0.023

   30–49

20 (45.5)

18 (40.0)

   50+

12 (27.3)

4 (8.9)

Gender

   Men

8 (18.2)

11 (24.4)

Chi-square (d.f. = 1) = 0.5197

0.471

   Women

36 (81.8)

34 (75.6)

Smoking

   Never

34 (77.3)

32 (73.8)

Chi-square (d.f. = 2) = 0.8677

0.648

   Ex

4 (9.1)

7 (15.6)

   Current

6 (13.6)

6 (13.3)

BMI, Mean (SD)

24.97 (3.81)

24.95 (4.54)

t value = −0.02, 0.983

   −18

1 (2.3)

0 (0.0)

Chi-square (d.f. = 3) = 1.1875

0.756

   18–25

26 (59.1)

28 (62.2)

   25–30

10 (22.7)

11 (24.4)

   30−

7 (15.9)

6 (13.3)

6-min step test, Mean, SD

200.3 (40.19)

202.5 (40.12)

t value = 0.25, 0.801

Regular exercise h per week, Mean, SD

3.99 (3.16)

3.33 (3.69)

t value = −0.91, 0.367

ACT, Median, 25,75%

21 [18, 22]

22 [19, 23]

Wilcoxon S = 1785.0, 0.107

   20–25

29 (65.9)

33 (73.3)

Chi-square (d.f. = 1) = 0.394

0.5302

   5–19

15 (34.1)

12 (26.7)

Shortness of breath weekly

26 (59.1)

22 (48.9)

Chi-square (d.f. = 1) = 0.9320

0.334

Shortness of breath less than weekly

18 (40.9)

23 (51.1)

Wheezing weekly

17 (39.5)

10 (22.2)

Chi-square (d.f. = 1) = 3.0988

0.078

Wheezing less than weekly

26 (60.5)

35 (77.8)

Phlegm weekly

25 (58.1)

13 (28.9)

Chi-square (d.f. = 1) = 7.6680

0.006

Phlegm less than weekly

18 (41.9)

32 (71.1)

Coughing weekly

16 (37.2)

15 (33.3)

Chi-square (d.f. = 1) = 0.1448

0.704

Coughing less than weekly

27 (62.8)

30 (66.7)

PEF % predicted

104.92 (16.94)

108.53 (17.14)

F-test value = 1.00, 0.321

FEV1% predicted

92.27 (9.93)

94.53 (12.59)

F-test value = 0.88, 0.351

FVC % predicted

99.50 (8.13)

101.84 (12.77)

F-test value = 1.06, 0.306

FEV1/FVC % predicted

92.97 (9.21)

93.03 (7.31)

F-test value = 0.00, 0.969

Short-acting bronchodilator

   Regularly

4 (9.1)

1 (2.2)

 

   If needed

35 (79.6)

36 (80.0)

Chi-square (d.f. = 2) = 2.50,

   Not at all

5 (11.4)

8 (17.8)

0.287

Inhaled steroid

   Regularly

24 (54.5)

26 (57.8)

 

   If needed

5 (11.4)

5 (11.1)

 

   Not at all

14 (31.8)

14 (31.1)

Chi-square (d.f. = 2) = 0.03,

   Missing

1 (2.3)

0 (0.0)

0.983

Oral steroids

   Regularly

0

0 (0.0)

 

   If needed

6 (13.6)

12 (26.7)

Chi-square (d.f. = 1) = 2.18,

   Not at all

37 (84.1)

33 (73.3)

0.139

   Missing

1 (2.3)

0 (0.0)