Breathing Better With Physical Activity

For many children with asthma, a physical activity program may improve asthma symptoms and reduce physician visits. You or your child may have concerns that physical activity may be potentially harmful or could worsen asthma. But physical activity is important because children with asthma are more likely to be overweight and physically inactive compared to non-asthmatic peers.

In a pilot study -- a small, initial study used to examine a treatment and its effects -- 45 children 7-14 years of age with moderate to severe asthma were randomized to a 9-week swimming (vigorous physical activity) or golf (moderate-intensity physical activity) program. The study team examined safety, parental satisfaction, asthma symptoms, quality of life, and urgent asthma physician visits.

Among the 1,125 sessions of both swimming and golf, only six episodes of worsening symptoms occurred. All episodes resolved with bronchodilator therapy, a fast-acting asthma treatment, and no patients required a visit to their doctor, the ER or hospitalization. Self-reported asthma symptoms improved significantly and participants had fewer visits to their primary care physicians for asthma exacerbations, but not fewer visits to the ER after the 9-week program.

Both parents and children reported significant improvements in quality of life over the study period, and more than 90% of parents were satisfied with the exercise program.

The study suggests that asthmatic children can safely participate in moderate and vigorous physical activity, with significant improvement in symptoms and quality of life. If you think you or your child could be more active, talk with your health care provider about starting an exercise program.

Sources

Weisgerber M, Webber K, Meurer J, Danduran M, Berger S, Flores G. Pediatric Pulmonology. 2008 Dec;43(12):1175-82.