Exercising outdoors 'can improve asthma symptoms'
18/06/2010 Exercising outdoors could improve the symptoms experienced by asthma sufferers, a new study has claimed.
Research conducted by Shilpa Dogra and colleagues at York University in Toronto, Canada, found that adults who do not have their condition fully controlled by medication could benefit from exercising outdoors, Reuters reports.
In total 36 adults took part in the study, which involved half of the group engaging in three months' supervised exercise training, involving aerobic exercise and strength training. This was followed by three months of carrying out the exercise routine on their own.
The other group maintained their usual lifestyles.
Members of the group who took part in the exercise routine reported a higher average level of asthma symptom control and improved asthma-related quality of life. These improvements continued when the group undertook home exercise.
Ms Dogra told the news provider: "The take-home message from this study is that 30 minutes of aerobic exercise at a moderate to vigorous intensity on three days of the week can lead to significant improvements in asthma control."
Asthma attacks occur when a person with the condition comes into contact with something that irritates their airways, causing the muscles on the walls to tighten and the lining of the airways to inflame and swell.
Research conducted by Shilpa Dogra and colleagues at York University in Toronto, Canada, found that adults who do not have their condition fully controlled by medication could benefit from exercising outdoors, Reuters reports.
In total 36 adults took part in the study, which involved half of the group engaging in three months' supervised exercise training, involving aerobic exercise and strength training. This was followed by three months of carrying out the exercise routine on their own.
The other group maintained their usual lifestyles.
Members of the group who took part in the exercise routine reported a higher average level of asthma symptom control and improved asthma-related quality of life. These improvements continued when the group undertook home exercise.
Ms Dogra told the news provider: "The take-home message from this study is that 30 minutes of aerobic exercise at a moderate to vigorous intensity on three days of the week can lead to significant improvements in asthma control."
Asthma attacks occur when a person with the condition comes into contact with something that irritates their airways, causing the muscles on the walls to tighten and the lining of the airways to inflame and swell.
