While in the past exercise has been considered a trigger for asthma, latest research has shown that exercise may very well be beneficial to asthmatics.

Researchers from Henan Normal University in China conducted a meta-analysis of 28 randomized controlled trials of the effects of exercises on asthmatic lung functions. The study analyzed 2,155 asthmatics. Exercise analyzed include breath training, relaxation training, yoga training, aerobic training, and breath training plus aerobic training.

They found that all five exercises provided benefits to asthma patients. Specifically, they also found that breath training, aerobic training, relaxation training, yoga training, and breath training plus aerobic training improved first second Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV1) and Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF).

Forced vital capacity (FVC) improved in those who participated in yoga training, breath training plus aerobic training, breath training, and aerobic training.

FEV1/FVC ratio improved in those who did yoga training, aerobic training, and breath training.

The researchers went on rank which exercise provided the best improvement in which specific spirometry measurement. Relaxation training showed the greatest improvement in FEV1, breath training plus aerobic training in FVC, and yoga training in PEF.

The study provided evidence of a continued well-rounded training regiment is beneficial for asthmatics, and anyone else for that matter. Exercise is not the once feared trigger of asthma as once all thought. While building up a tolerance and strength to higher intensity is important, no one should be avoiding exercise.

The study was published in Annals of Medicine.

S Xing et al. Effect of exercise intervention on lung function in asthmatic adults: a network meta-analysis. Annals of Medicine. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1080/07853890.2023.2237031