For many years it has been suggested that swimming is the best form of exercise for people who suffer from asthma. It was thought that its added benefits were because the air close to the surface of the water was warm and wet and therefore unlikely to cause irritation and hence spasm of inflamed airways. However, experiments with volunteers who have exercise induced asthma have shown that even if the air they breathed was warmed and moistened when running on a treadmill, for example, symptoms still occurred.
Several important factors may be contributing to the suitability of swimming as an exercise for asthmatics. The first is that while swimming there is usually some restriction of the rate of breathing either because of head submersion or the need to breathe in time with a stroke. Limiting rate of breathing will help prevent any tendency for hyperventilation and allow airways to rest. The second factor is when there is pressure of water around the chest while submerged in water the pressure of blood in the venous circulation of the heart rises. This causes the right side of the heart to release the hormone Atrial Natiuretic Peptide (ANP)(1)
The ANP passes straight into the lungs where, as part of its action, helps open up blood vessels and prevents bronchial spasm. The release of ANP happens even if you simply sit still in the water, but by exercising you can increase the rate of release still further.
The effect of the ANP persists for 15-20 minutes after the end of exercise so helps to prevent problems with symptoms in the important post exercise period.
In general swimming is good for building up stamina, suppleness and strength as well as helping those with muscular problems such as low back pain.
Further information regarding managing your asthma can be found at www.asthma.org.uk or ask your physiotherapist
Reference ;
1) Angus RM et al. Thorax 1996 Jan; 51 (1):71-4 Effect of inhaled thiorphan, anneutral endopeptidase inhibitor on bronchodilator response to inhaled Atrial Natiuretic Peptide (ANP)
Corinne Ward, Physiotherapist and Respiratory Specialist, the Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth
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