How Exercise Interventions Help People With Asthma

Interventions aimed at promoting physical activity in people with asthma can improve their symptoms and quality of life, according to a new study from the University of East Anglia

The researchers looked at whether interventions such as aerobic training, strength training or resistance training helped people with asthma

Although they found that these interventions worked, people with asthma may have difficulty implementing them because they struggle to travel to fitness groups, or because the interventions are not appropriate for people with other health conditions

But the team said digital interventions — such as video appointments, smartwatches and mobile apps — could remove some of these barriers and enable patients to pursue home-based programs in the future

Professor Andrew Wilson, from the University of East Anglia's Norwich Medical School, said: "Physical activity is widely recommended for people with asthma

"But studies have shown that people with asthma engage in less physical activity and spend more time sedentary than people without asthma

"We wanted to find out whether interventions - like asking for aerobic exercise several times a week in group meetings, coupled with 'goal setting' - were effective in helping people with asthma be more active

The team looked at interventions designed to promote physical activity in adults with asthma

Leanne Tyson, a postgraduate researcher, also from the University of East Anglia Norwich Medical School, said: "We found that interventions to promote physical activity were associated with increased physical activity, reduced sedentary time, improved quality of life and reduced asthma symptoms.

"This is very important because helping patients make significant behavioral changes can really improve their long-term outcomes

"Our review also highlights the potential uses of digital interventions, which are sorely lacking

"This is more important than ever because during the Covid-19 pandemic, patients cannot access in-person support and services can be overwhelmed

The study was funded by the UK Centre for Applied Research in Asthma