Exercise has many benefits when it comes to managing your asthma. While exercise can pose dangers, particularly if you do not make effort to control your condition, it is generally safe to exercise with asthma. However, don't start an exercise program without talking to your doctor first.
Benefits
Regular physical activity will increase the strength of your lungs, which will increase oxygen intake and help you breathe better all the time, not just during exercise. It will also increase functionality of the muscles involved in breathing. Regular physical activity promotes a healthy weight, which can reduce asthma symptoms. Working out also strengthens your immune system, which also helps. While exercise could trigger an asthma attack, this likelihood reduces as you get more physically fit.
Recommended Form of Exercise
When it comes to exercising with asthma, certain types of activities might prove a better choice over others. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, activities that involve long periods of continuous running will more likely trigger an attack than a form of exercise that has regular periods of "stop and go." Swimming is a sound activity for asthma suffers, as is walking. The American Council on Exercise ranks the following five activities from most to least likely to cause an attack: running outdoors, running on a treadmill, cycling, walking and swimming in a pool. This does not mean you cannot participate in more intense forms of activity but to do so safely, you must prepare your body by easing into more vigorous exercise bit by bit.
Medications
If you plan on exercising with asthma, you might need to have quick-acting medications on hand, such as an inhaler, to combat an exercise-induced attack. These medications relax your airways and can work immediately or at most, in a few minutes, depending on the medication. You might also use it shortly before a workout. Your doctor can determine whether you require this type of medication, which underscores the importance of getting medical clearance to exercise.
Tips for Preventing an Attack
Exercising in the cold can increase your risk of an asthma attack. You should either wear a mask to warm the air you breathe in or avoid working out in the cold. Stay away from heavily polluted areas, such as the side of a heavily trafficked road. Ease into and out of activity with a 10-minute warm-up and cool down rather than starting and stopping a workout at full force.
