Asthma
Asthma is a condition that affects the airways. The muscles around the walls of the airways tighten so that the airways become narrower and irritated, making it difficult to breath, leading to symptoms of asthma.
Exercise is a preventative
No matter what your age, exercise will improve your asthma. The majority of people with asthma should be able to take part in any type of exercise, given that their asthma is under control.
Swimming is a great activity for people with asthma and provides many benefits:
- Swimming in an indoor venue means being in a controlled environment with warm and moist air, which will reduce the likelihood of coming into contact with any asthma triggers.
- Swimming is a gentle exercise, allowing you to start at a slow pace gradually building the intensity and duration of your exercise at your own pace.
- Being a cardiovascular activity, swimming will help improve the strength and endurance of your lungs, making them stronger and fitter.
- Having asthma has never held back some of the world’s greatest swimmers such as Michael Phelps and Kieran Perkins.
- Swimming is an activity that is accessible for people of all ages and all fitness levels.
Exercise-induced asthma
Some people may find that exercise triggers their asthma symptoms, but that doesn’t mean that exercise is bad. In fact, exercise is good for people with asthma.
Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise for people with asthma because it usually causes the least amount of chest tightness. There are several reasons behind this. The controlled breathing pattern required when swimming helps keep breathing regulated.
