Exercise for asthma: Benefits, best types, and safety tips

Some forms of exercise have the potential to cause asthma flare-ups, leading to wheezing or chest tightness. However, people may be able to avoid symptoms or asthma attacks by using specific techniques and participating in suitable activities.

As long as a person’s asthma is under control, exercise can offer them many health benefits.

In this article, we look at how to stay safe while exercising with asthma and what to know about exercise-induced asthma. We also provide tips on how to avoid asthma complications.

Can exercise help with asthma?

In general, exercise offers many varied health benefits, such as improving heart health, boosting mental health, and reducing the risk of many health conditions.

People with asthma may also notice other specific health benefits, including:

• improved lung function, which builds overall stamina and reduces the time that it takes for a person to feel out of breath
• weight loss, which can reduce the risk of asthma attacks
• improved immune system function, which reduces the risk of upper respiratory infections that can trigger asthma symptoms
• improved mood and stress reduction, which can lessen asthma symptoms

Other benefits of exercise include:

• increased energy levels throughout the day
• stabilized blood sugar levels
• protection for the brain from age-related disease
• strengthened bones and muscles
• reduced risk of certain cancers
• improved sex life
• improved sleep quality
• reduced risk of heart disease
• helping a person quit smoking

Which types of exercise are good for asthma?

People with asthma may find that slowly building up their level of exercise reduces the risk of asthma flare-ups during exercise. Types of exercise that focus on promoting lung capacity and regulating breathing can be especially beneficial.

Exercises and activities that offer a person short periods of activity with rest in between can work well. Exercising in this way allows a person to be active and improve their stamina and strength without putting too much strain on the lungs.

The following types of exercise may be particularly suitable for people with asthma:

Yoga

Yoga helps a person focus on their breathing. Controlled, rhythmic breathing during exercise can help increase a person’s lung capacity while building muscle strength for overall fitness.

Yoga and rhythmic breathing can also help lower a person’s stress levels. Stress is a trigger for asthma in many people, so reducing stress could help reduce asthma flares.

Swimming

Swimming results in the inhalation of warm, damp air, which is good for people with asthma. Swimming can also help with breath control. It can be a gentle activity, and people can work toward doing more intensive sessions as their fitness and lung capacity improve.

Some people may find that swimming in a pool triggers their asthma symptoms due to the chlorine that is in the water.

Other forms of exercise

Many other types of exercise can also help improve the function of the lungs without overstraining them. These include:

• golf
• baseball
• tennis
• volleyball
• badminton
• weightlifting

Light-to-moderate exercise also works well, especially when it involves steady movement, which improves endurance levels and avoids overstraining the lungs. Examples include:

• biking
• walking
• hiking
• using an elliptical machine
• taking the stairs instead of the elevator

Other more strenuous exercises and activities are not necessarily bad for asthma, but it is best for each individual to talk to a doctor before deciding on the best exercise for them. The doctor can advise on the risks of specific sports, such as running, basketball, or soccer, and how to manage symptoms during these activities.

People who are new to exercising should avoid high-intensity activities, at least until they build up endurance. Running, jogging, or soccer can be too much for a person with asthma if they are not accustomed to exercising.

It is best to avoid exercising in cold, dry environments. The types of exercise that involve cold weather, such as ice hockey, skiing, and other winter sports, are more likely to cause asthma flare-ups.

It is also crucial to pay attention to the body during exercise. If a particular form of exercise is causing a flare, a person should stop doing the activity until their symptoms are under control.

According to the American Lung Association, a person can manage their asthma by taking the following six steps:

• taking advantage of resources and asking appropriate questions when visiting a doctor
• working with their healthcare provider to create an asthma management plan that outlines how to manage symptoms
• tracking the times when they experience symptoms to determine their triggers
• taking control and understanding their prescribed medication
• reducing exposure to known triggers
• learning asthma self-management techniques

The best action that a person can take to prevent an asthma attack when exercising is to use prescription asthma medications as the doctor directs.

Anyone who still experiences severe symptoms of asthma when using medication can speak to their doctor to adjust the type or dosage of their drugs to help get the symptoms under control.

It is also important to pay attention to the environment before exercising. For example, if pollen counts are high or the air is cool and dry, it is likely to be better to exercise indoors to reduce the risk of asthma flare-ups.

Other steps to avoid asthma attacks during exercise include:

• wearing a scarf over the face in cooler weather to keep cold air out of the lungs
• warming up before exercising and cooling down afterward

It is vital to avoid pushing too hard during exercise. A person who is just starting to become active may want to walk instead of running to avoid straining the lungs. By gradually increasing their fitness levels, a person can help reduce the likelihood of exercise triggering an asthma attack.

Finally, a person should always carry their rescue inhaler with them. If symptoms occur during exercise, it is essential to stop and use the inhaler to prevent symptoms from progressing.

When to seek medical help

Anyone who suspects that they have asthma or EIB should speak to their doctor. A doctor can help develop a plan for how to treat flares and avoid asthma triggers.

A person should also seek medical attention if they have:

• wheezing that does not subside
• symptoms that do not reduce after about 20 minutes and several uses of a rescue inhaler
• a long-lasting cough that does not respond to a rescue inhaler
• color changes in their fingernails
• difficulty talking or catching their breath

Outlook

People with asthma can benefit from doing regular exercise. A doctor can offer advice on how to stay safe and reduce anxiety about asthma flare-ups when starting to do more exercise.

Particularly suitable types of exercise include those that focus on regular breathing and increasing lung capacity, such as yoga and swimming.

People with asthma who exercise regularly will often notice an improvement in their symptoms, and they will experience all the usual benefits of exercise too.

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