Effect of aerobic exercise training on sex hormones and markers of inflammation in asthmatic women

After puberty, asthma becomes more prevalent and severe in women as compared to men. Researchers are suggesting a role for sex hormones impact on inflammatory mediators. Physical activity decreases inflammation and sex hormone levels and improves pulmonary functions in asthmatic patients. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of 12 weeks of aerobic exercise training on sex hormones and blood markers of airway inflammation in mid-luteal phase of asthmatics women.
The present study is of semi-experimental type wherein 24 women with mild to moderate asthma and regular menstrual cycles were selected and divided into two groups including exercise (n=13) and control (n=11) groups. The exercise group performed aerobic exercise training, three times a week, 60 minutes each session. Before and after the last training session and in mid luteal phase, estrogen, progesterone and blood inflammatory markers were measured. The research data analyzed using the dependent and independent t test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient and linear regression.
Twenty-one subjects (12 in exercise and 9 in control) completed the protocol. A significant decrease in serum IL-5 (p=0.001, t=-3.87), IL-4 (p= 0.026, t= - 2.68), and FEV1 (p=0.039, t=2.22) was observed following the 12 weeks of training in the exercise group compared to the control group. Linear regression model revealed that changes in progesterone concentration significantly contributed to the change in serum Il-5 levels (p=0.01, t=3.14, R2=0.497).
The present study indicates that 12 weeks of aerobic exercise training could play a useful role in the decreases of some inflammatory markers by changing levels of progesterone.