Yoga and exercise can improve lung health in people with asthma

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Asthma affects millions of people around the world, causing problems like coughing, shortness of breath, and wheezing.

For a long time, people believed that asthmatics should avoid exercise to prevent attacks. But a new study tells a different story.

Yoga and Aerobics: A Winning Combo

Researchers have discovered that certain exercises can help people with asthma breathe better.

The study, done by Shuangtao Xing from Henan Normal University in China, suggests that doing yoga, controlling breathing, and aerobic exercises are beneficial for those with asthma.

These activities help improve the lungs, making it easier for people to breathe.

Shuangtao Xing points out that these exercises, especially when combined, can be a great way to help asthmatics. However, he also mentions that more in-depth studies are needed to understand these benefits fully.

Understanding the Study’s Findings

The research team studied 28 trials involving over 2,000 asthma patients. They looked at different exercises like yoga, aerobics, and breathing techniques. The results showed:

  • All these exercises improved lung function better than usual treatments.
  • Activities like yoga, aerobics, and breathing exercises improved different lung measurements. For instance, yoga was the best for increasing Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF), a measure of how fast someone can blow air out.

The main message? Exercise helps people with asthma breathe better.

What This Means for Asthma Care

Shuangtao Xing believes that these findings can help doctors and health professionals recommend the right exercises to asthmatics.

Each person is different, so it’s essential to look at individual factors, like how long they’ve had asthma or their family history. Knowing these details can help design the best exercise plan for each person.

However, there are some things to keep in mind. The studies mostly looked at people under 60 years old.

This means older adults might not get the same benefits. Also, the studies varied in how often or intensely the participants exercised.

Conclusion

Exercise, especially yoga and aerobics, can benefit people with asthma. It can improve lung function and help reduce asthma symptoms. However, each person is unique, and it’s essential to find the right exercise plan for them.

Doctors and health professionals can use this information to guide their patients in managing their asthma better.

If you care about lung health, please read studies about marijuana’s effects on lung health, and why some non-smokers get lung disease and some heavy smokers do not.

For more information about lung health, please see recent studies about how to minimize lung damage in COVID patients, and results showing this existing drug can save damaged lungs in COVID-19.

The study was published in the Annals of Medicine.

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