A new study has revealed that aerobic exercise helps in curbing asthma severity and ultimately improves quality of life.
It should be routinely added to the drug treatment of moderate to severe asthma, suggest the researchers, who point out that people with asthma often avoid exercise for fear of triggering symptoms.
Exercise has been recommended in the past for asthma patients, because it improves physical fitness, overall quality of life, and reduces the need for inhalers. But it has not been clear whether the pros outweigh the cons.
Quality of life score rose significantly in 15 people in the aerobic exercise group, while maximum oxygen intake and aerobic power increased.
The effects were most noticeable in those with higher levels of systemic inflammation and poorer symptom control to begin with.
The study is published in the journal Thorax.
