The Effect of Step Aerobic Exercise on Improving Symptoms of Moderate to Severe Asthenopia

Abstract

Purpose:

The effect of step aerobic exercise in relieving symptoms of moderate to severe asthenopia

Methodology/approach:

Thirty-two female students of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Atma Jaya Catholic University, with moderate-to-severe asthenopia, participated in the study. Sixteen students were given step aerobic exercise (SAE) as an intervention (SA group), and 16 students were assigned as the control group (C). Asthenopia was provoked by reading cell phones for one hour. CVSS score 13-19 was denoted as moderate while CVSS score ≥20 was denoted as severe. Participants were then instructed to fill out the Computer Vision Syndrome Scale Questionnaire (CVSS). Control groups were given a three-minute break while the SA group was asked to do 3 three-minute step aerobic exercise. Step aerobics exercises were performed by going up and down stairs 20 cm high for frequency of 88 steps/minute according to metronome. Participants in both groups were instructed to fill Computer Vision Syndrome Scale Questionnaire (CVSS) after three minutes. Wilcoxon signed rank test and Mann Whitney test were applied to analyze the data due to abnormal distribution. Significance was set at p<0.05

 Results/findings:

Symptoms of moderate to severe asthenopia appeared after provocation (CVSS score 22.7±11.1 in C group and 21.4±8.0 in SA, p=0.67). The CVSS score was significantly decreased in SA group after SAE (21.4±8.0 vs. 5.1±4.9, p=0.001) but not significant in C group (22.7±11.1 vs. 21.8±12.1, p=0.09). The magnitude of the decrease in CVSS scores in SA group was significantly greater than in C (-16.3±5.3 vs. -0.9±2.1, p<0.001).

Conclusion:

Step aerobic exercise can improve the symptoms of moderate to severe asthenopia in female students.

Limitations:

This study involved only female. Male students should be also recruited to observe the effect of gender on the response of eyes to exercise intervention. NO, as a chemical substance responsible for improvements of asthenopia, was not measured due to several limitations.

Contribution:

Sports medicine field: benefit of exercise for eye health, especially asthenopia.

ophthalmology field: finding a healthy alternative treatment for eye problems especially asthenopia

Student/employee: develop healthy behaviour to reduce and avoid the negative effects of long-term gadget use.