INTRODUCTION: Obese adults with asthma have an increased number of comorbidities and reduced daily life physical activity (DLPA), which may worsen asthma symptoms. Exercise is recommended to improve asthma outcomes; however, the benefits of exercise for psychosocial comorbidities and physical activity levels in obese adults with asthma have been poorly investigated. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the effects of exercise on DLPA, asthma symptoms, and psychosocial comorbidities in obese adults with asthma. METHODS: Fifty-five grade II obese adults with asthma were randomly assigned to either a weight loss program plus exercise program (WL+E group, n = 28) or a weight loss program plus sham (WL+S group, n = 27). The WL+E group incorporated aerobic and resistance muscle training into the weight loss program (nutrition and psychological therapies), whereas the WL+S group performed breathing and stretching exercises. DLPA, asthma symptoms, sleep quality, and anxiety and depression symptoms were quantified before and after treatment. RESULTS: After 3 months, the WL+E group presented a significant increase in daily step counts (3,068 +/- 2,325 versus 729 +/- 1,118 steps per day) and the number of asthma symptom-free days (14.5 +/- 9.6 versus 8.6 +/- 11.4 d/month) compared with the WL+S group. The proportion of participants with improvements in depression symptoms (76.4% versus 16.6%) and a lower risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea (56.5% versus 16.3%) was greater in the WL+E group than that in the WL+S group (p < 0.05). Significant improvements in sleep efficiency (6.6% +/- 5.1% versus 1.3% +/- 4.7%) and latency (-3.7 +/- 5.9 versus 0.2 +/- 5.6 min) were also observed in the WL+E group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results strongly suggest that exercise training plus a weight loss program improves DLPA, sleep efficiency, and depression and asthma symptoms in obese adults with asthma.

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