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Swimming Aids Asthma Symptoms In Children, Study Finds
ScienceDaily (Aug. 20, 2009) — Research has shown that
swimming aids asthma symptoms in children. The activity has been
proven to be an effective non-pharmacological intervention for
children and adolescents, according to a study in Respirology,
published by Wiley-Blackwell.
Researchers divided children between the ages of seven to twelve
into two groups. One group underwent a six-week swimming program in
addition to their regular asthma treatments. All of the children in
the experimental program showed significant improvement in all
clinical variables including symptoms, hospitalizations, emergency
room visits and school absenteeism.
Other improvements included asthma severity, mouth-breathing,
snoring, chest deformity, self-confidence and general feelings of
disadvantage.
"Unlike other sports, swimming is unlikely to provoke asthma
attacks. In addition to improving asthma, swimming promotes normal
physical and psychological development, such as increasing lung
volume, developing good breathing techniques and improving general
fitness," said lead author, Wang Jeng-Shing from the Taipei Medical
University.
He added, "Not only is swimming an excellent form of exercise for
children with asthma, the health benefits reaped continued to be
observed for at least a year after the completion of the swimming
program."
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