Having asthma is not an obstacle for you to live an active life. Although some types of exercise can indeed trigger the recurrence of asthma symptoms, it does not mean that you should not do it at all. Regular exercise is still important for asthmatics to maintain their body fitness. Here are some safe exercise tips for asthma sufferers:
- Do warm-up for at least 15 minutes to make the lungs regulate oxygen intake into the body.
- In cold weather, cover your mouth and nose with a mask or a thick scarf to warm the air before entering the lungs.
- Always bring asthma medicines such as inhalers as an anticipatory step if asthma symptoms appear during your exercise routine.
- If you exercise in groups, make sure your friend or coach knows you have asthma and knows what to do if your asthma recurs.
- After exercising, cool down for 15 minutes.
- Immediately stop exercising if you experience signs of asthma recurrence.
The Best Exercises for People with Asthma
- Swimming
Many experts and doctors suggest swimming as a top sport for individuals with asthma. This suggestion is supported by various study findings which indicate that consistent swimming can alleviate asthma symptoms.
Swimming movements are less burdensome for your body, as the water current can help support your body weight. The warm and humid air present around swimming pools can also assist in moisturizing the airways of asthma sufferers, thereby reducing the likelihood of asthma attacks.
- Walking
Don’t want to spend a lot of energy but still want to be active? Walking could be the ultimate solution. Walking is a simple kind of sport that is perfect for people with asthma. They can do it at any time and anywhere, at their convenience.
There are tons of benefits that we can get by walking around daily. One of the biggest benefits is none other than to improve your lung capacity and at the same time relax your body and mind.
The notion that walking is one of the best exercises for asthmatic sufferers is published in the journal Allergy, Asthma, and Clinical Immunology. The research revealed that engaging in regular walking sessions at least three times per week is effective in enhancing fitness levels without provoking asthma attacks.
- Yoga
Yoga offers many health benefits for the body, and one of them is to help control asthma symptoms.
Essentially, the more complex the yoga pose you perform, the body can naturally prompt the lungs to inhale and exhale at a slower pace. This technique can aid in enhancing the lung capacity, enabling you to intake a greater amount of oxygen during shorter breaths.
In addition to improving lung function, yoga gymnastics can also reduce stress symptoms that can trigger asthma. That is why, yoga is a safe exercise choice for asthma sufferers. Other sports such as pilates and tai chi also offer the same benefits as yoga.
- Light Run
You might be conflicted about how running can be considered a good sport for people with asthma. But one thing to keep in mind is that what we mean is to opt for a light run. The main difference between light runs and regular runs lies in intensity and pace. A light run typically involves jogging at a comfortable, moderate speed, focusing more on maintaining a steady rhythm and enjoying the activity.
Running provides several benefits for asthma sufferers. One of them is to help strengthen the muscles in the respiratory system. In addition, running can also help you to maintain weight, thus reducing the risk factors that can exacerbate asthma, particularly excess weight. However, you also have to be careful because running inappropriately can trigger an asthma attack.
Final Thoughts
People with asthma should avoid all types of high-intensity exercise. Physical activity that requires the body to move quickly for a long time can put excessive pressure on the lungs which ultimately triggers asthma symptoms. But, do keep in mind that asthma is not a reason to avoid exercise. With proper exercise and following the safe tips above, you can experience the benefits of exercise without having to worry about the recurrence of asthma attacks!
Another thing to keep in mind, individuals with asthma must also maintain a meticulously clean home environment, as dust can trigger sudden attacks. One of the most often overlooked places to clean at home is the sofa. While actually, sofas can harbor significant amounts of dust and dirt, posing a hidden threat. Thus, engaging with sofa deep cleaning services Singapore periodically is essential to thoroughly eliminate these allergens. This can be very beneficial for any homeowners with asthma!