1698 Karate Influences on Asthma Management in Preschool Children
Background Examples of semi-contact sports include karate and its benefite influence on asthma in childhood. Specific treatment for asthma will be determined by pediatrician based on children age, overall health, medical history, extent of the disease, tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies and expectations for the course of the disease. Aims A target of this article is showing benefit of karate training in preschool ages on asthma management and course of disease. Methods To verify the efficacy of karate on asthma, a complex psychomotor activity that enhances pulmonary capacity and lungs volume, and breathing regulations, as an intervention for asthma curing, ten children with asthma, ranging in age from five to seven years, and meeting diagnostic criteria for children asthma disorder were studied during two years period 2010–2011. Results A higher prevalence of asthma has been reported in athletes specially in karate clubs for younger children but with better control of asthma. Risk ofasthma decreased with number of years of training (odds ratio 2.02; 95% confidence interval 1.60–3.03; p<0.0001), number of hours per week (odds ratio 1.74; CI 1.11–2.21; p=0.015) and rank, specifically brown green belt versus lower belts (odds ratio 3.53; CI 2.82–6.28; p=0.007). Conclusions Karate is a relatively safe sport for preschool children and younger schoolers when properly taught and optimize for asthma management. These training principles are perhaps most useful early in a children patient’s course when the setting of appropriate expectations is important in minimizing restrictions from treatment and karate activity.