The results of a new study suggest that a combination of yoga, breathing control, and aerobic training can be beneficial for improving lung function in adults with asthma. This finding emphasizes the significance of incorporating appropriate exercise regimens into asthma management plans.
Traditionally, exercise was viewed as a potential trigger for acute asthma attacks and was therefore approached cautiously for individuals with asthma. However, recent research has indicated that exercise training can actually enhance lung function and overall exercise capacity in adults with the condition.
Lead author Shuangtao Xing, an associate professor at the School of Physical Education at Henan Normal University in China, said: “Breathing training combined with aerobic training, and yoga training, appear to be particularly advantageous – offering potential avenues for effective treatment approaches.”
“Larger, well-designed randomised controlled trials are now needed to more accurately estimate the benefits of exercise training for individuals with asthma. These findings should provide valuable insight for healthcare professionals prescribing exercise training for the management of adult asthma patients.”
“However, it is essential to consider individual factors, such as family history, duration of the condition, and environmental influences, when designing exercise rehabilitation programmes.”
“Tailoring interventions to individual physical and mental health conditions, with careful consideration of exercise intensity, frequency and duration, is important for optimizing treatment outcomes.”
In this study, researchers aimed to address the variability in exercise approaches used in previous research. They analyzed data from 28 different studies involving 2,155 patients. The study compared the effects of various exercise interventions, including breathing training, aerobic training, relaxation training, yoga training, and a combination of breathing and aerobic training, on lung function.
All five types of exercise interventions demonstrated significant improvements in lung function. Specifically, they found that these interventions led to enhancements in measurements such as the amount of air forcefully exhaled from the lungs in one second (FEV1), the rate of air flow out of the lungs (PEF), and the amount of air exhaled after a maximal breath (FVC). Additionally, the study found improvements in the FEV1/FVC ratio, which is an important indicator of lung health.
It’s important to note that the majority of participants in the study were under the age of 60. The responses to exercise interventions may vary among older individuals.
Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that affects millions of people worldwide. The study’s findings suggest that incorporating specific exercise interventions, such as yoga, breathing exercises, and aerobic training, can play a crucial role in enhancing lung function and overall well-being for adults with asthma. However, individualized approaches and considerations for age should be taken into account when designing exercise programs for asthma management. The study’s results contribute to a growing body of evidence supporting the positive impact of exercise on lung health in individuals with asthma.
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The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a health advice. We would ask you to consult a qualified professional or medical expert to gain additional knowledge before you choose to consume any product or perform any exercise.
