Written by: Kirsten Cowart
Millions of people in this world suffer from asthma. Unfortunately, many of these individuals report that they have a hard time controlling their symptoms.
According to new research from Concordia University, the answer that everyone with asthma is looking for is easy, simply exercise 30 minutes per day, year-round.
They study was published in the BMJ Open Respiratory Research journal. It was conducted by several institutes, including the Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal and Concordia University.
The researchers analysed 643 people who suffered from asthma and focused on their reported exercise habits. When compared to people who were inactive, those who exercised regularly had 2 and a half times more control over their symptoms.
It’s More About Consistency Than Intensity
It was found that the exercise was still effective even if it wasn’t strenuous. “We’re not talking about running marathons here,” said Lead author Simon Bacon, professor of the Department of Exercise Science at Concordia.
“Just 30 minutes a day of walking, riding a bike, doing yoga – anything active, really – can result in significant reduction of asthma symptoms.”
This is the opposite of what you have always been told!
Unfortunately, over the years, many people who have asthma have actually been discouraged from exercising. They believed that the exercise would trigger attacks and shortness of breath.
Simon Bacon explains that you should still take some basic precautionary measures in order to avoid the discomforts that happen when you experience asthma symptoms while exercising.
“The issue of exercise-induced bronchospasm is real – but if you use your reliever medication, blue puffer, before you exercise and then take the time to cool down afterwards, you should be okay,” he explains. “Even if you have asthma, there’s no good reason not to get out there and exercise.”
Like he also said above, something as simple as 30 minutes of yoga counts as a form of helpful exercise. Unless you do hot yoga, it is typically a calm series of moves that encourage healthy breathing and may be found to be key in controlling your asthma symptoms.
It’s Rare If People Exercise Regularly
Out of the 643 people who were studied, 245 reported that they never exercised and only 100 met the 30 minutes of exercise per day. This unfortunately is how it is for the asthma community at large.
“Those numbers reflect the population in general,” says Bacon, director of the Centre de réadaptation Jean-Jacques-Gauthier from Hopital du Sacré-Coeur. “Forty percent of people don’t exercise at all,” he says.
“We need to keep in mind that doing something is better than nothing, and doing more is better than less. Even the smallest amount of activity is beneficial.”
It’s Important To Exercise Year-Round, Even In The Winter Months
The cold winter air is also a big trigger for those who suffer from asthma. It is still important to stay regular with the 30 minutes of exercise even when it gets cold.
“Our study shows that those who were able to engage in physical activity on a regular basis year-round benefit most,” says Bacon. He also suggests that we find a place indoors to exercise during these months. Look for a gym, an indoor staircase or even just go walk around an indoor mall.
“It’s all about being creative and finding environments where the cold doesn’t become an issue.”
Being active in general counts as part of the 30 minutes of regular exercise, so you can find ways to fit exercise time in throughout a busy schedule too.
Bacon hopes that doctors will soon start to prescribe exercise for asthma patients. “It would be great to see physicians recommending physical activity to patients with asthma, alongside traditional pharmacological treatments,” he says. Getting regular exercise to become an important part of the asthma community could do wonders for all who struggle with controlling their symptoms.
Sources
Concordia University. “Just 30 minutes a day: Regular exercise relieves asthma symptoms: Those who undertake physical activity year round breathe easier.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 7 October 2015. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/10/151007140619.htm>.
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