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Exercising with Asthma

All About Asthma and Exercise

Even if you have asthma, you shouldn’t avoid exercise all together. Regular physical activity is essential for managing health, improving energy, and reducing the risk of chronic disease. If you already have a chronic condition like asthma, regular exercise can help you manage it.​

With a doctor’s guidance, regular exercise could help asthma by:

  • Increasing your lung capacity.
  • Promoting blood flow to your lungs and heart.
  • Improving endurance and stamina.
  • Decreasing airway inflammation.
  • Improving overall lung health.

In general, the best exercises for asthma involve brief bursts of exertion. Gentle, low-intensity activities are also ideal. These exercises don’t overwork your lungs, so they’re less likely to cause asthma symptoms. Be sure to consult your doctor and pay attention to your body when starting an exercise routine.

Here is a list of activities to try:

  • Swimming;
  • Walking;
  • Hiking; and
  • Biking.

You should also ask your doctor what you should do if you have an asthma attack while exercising. By having a plan in place, you can workout with confidence.

For further information about benefits of exercise and asthma, access Healthline at https://www.healthline.com/health/asthma/exercise-for-asthma#tips-for-exercising-with-asthma

Useful links:

  1. https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/asthma-library/asthma-and-exercise
  2. https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/asthma/living-with-asthma/managing-asthma/asthma-and-exercise
  3. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/exercise-induced-asthma/symptoms-causes/syc-20372300