THE IMPACT OF REGULAR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON REDUCING EXACERBATION FREQUENCY, ENHANCING DISEASE CONTROL, AND IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH BRONCHIAL ASTHMA
Abstract
Introduction: Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease with variable obstruction and hyperresponsiveness. Symptoms such as wheezing, dyspnea, chest tightness, and coughing fluctuate over time. Globally, asthma affects over 235 million people and represents a major health and economic burden. While physical exertion was once discouraged due to exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), current guidelines, including GINA, recommend regular physical activity as part of management.
Objective: To evaluate whether physical activity benefits asthma patients of varying severity by improving control, reducing exacerbations, and enhancing quality of life.
Methods: A narrative literature review was performed using PubMed. Inclusion criteria: English-language full texts from 2013–2025, limited to reviews and RCTs. Eighteen relevant articles were analyzed.
Results: Exercise improves asthma control (e.g., 23% ACQ improvement in REACT) and quality of life (AQLQ). It reduces exacerbations and reliever use (53% vs. 20% exacerbation-free in one study). Aerobic training enhances FEV1 and FVC, while Inspiratory Muscle Training increases PImax. No consistent effect on airway inflammation was observed. Recommended modalities include aerobic, resistance, and flexibility training individualized via the FITT principle. Aquatic exercise may lower EIB risk due to humid air. EIB is managed by warm-up routines, pre-exercise SABAs, ICS for control, and optional ICS-LABA or LTRA. Benefits are pronounced in obese and moderate/severe asthma, especially with weight loss. Monitoring air quality and symptoms during activity is essential.
Conclusion: Regular physical activity is safe, cost-effective, and improves asthma outcomes when tailored and combined with appropriate EIB management.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Kamil Kerknawi, Paulina Mikulec, Michalina Zagalska, Marta Turek, Angelika Kędzierska, Natalia Nafalska, Krzysztof Feret, Małgorzata Stopyra, Aleksandra Ćwirko-Godycka
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