Exercise Training to Lose Weight in Obese Asthmatics

The dietary therapy will be performed every 15 days, totaling 6 sessions of 60 minutes each by a dietitian. Patients will be advised to follow restricted-calorie diet based on the hypocaloric dietary guidance, multiplying the patient's weight by 20 to 25 calories. The Nutwin ® program will be used to structure the patient's diets, based on 24 hours food record and calories tables. Throughout the program, issues related to food control, the benefits of following a balanced diet and the changing food habits will be discussed.

The education program will consist of 4 classes lasting 6 hours at the beginning of the interventions, in which issues related to asthma and physical activity will be discussed. Presentations and group discussions will be carried out, including information about asthma pathophysiology, medication and peakflowmeter skills, self-monitoring techniques, environmental control, benefits and current recommendations of physical activity.

The Behavioral therapy will be performed every 15 days, totaling 6 sessions of 60 minutes each by a psychologist. Sessions of group dynamics will be performed to increase the patient adherence in a weight loss program using behavior modification techniques, such as self-management, motivational strategies, positive reinforcement and relapse prevention. Relaxation techniques, experiences and patient's report will also be used.

The aerobic training will be performed on a treadmill and a bike (or an elliptical), twice a week, totaling 24 sessions of 60 minutes each. The initial intensity will be 50% to 60% of VO2 max reaching a maximal 75% of VO2 max and the progression will take place according to the level of effort (Borg) in the last two sessions. Patients will be advised to walk outside at least twice a week for 30 minutes and write down their activity in a diary. Furthermore, they will be given an accelerometer in week 6 to record their daily steps. The resistance training will consist of exercises for the upper and lower limbs. Initially, the patients will perform 2 sets of 10 repetitions with load of 50% to 70% of 1-RM and the progression will take place in the number of repetition, and then in the load.

Breathing exercise will consist of 3 exercises adapted from yoga's breathing technique (kapalabhati, uddhiyana and agnisara) twice a week, totaling 24 sessions of 30 minutes each. Every exercise will be performed in sets of 3 (2 minutes each) with 60 seconds of rest between them. The stretching will consist of stretching exercises for the major muscle groups in 3 sets of 10 seconds each. The program will be performed twice a week, totaling 24 sessions of 30 minutes each.

*Both breathing and stretching exercises will be performed as placebo to ensure the same duration of treatment between the two groups.