Asthma patients live with a perpetual dilemma when it comes to physical exercise. Should they go for the recommended daily amount of activity but risk bouts of uncontrollable wheezing and shortness of breath or should they keep indoors without any physical activity, but risk the ailments that often accompany a sedentary lifestyle? Researchers from Uppsala University in Sweden have shown that female asthma patients who engage in intense physical activity face more difficulties in controlling asthma symptoms.

Ludvig Lovstrom, lead author on the study, said, “It is important to remember that the high level of activity means nothing extreme — in our patient material every third girl exercised that much. Still, we uncovered these results, and with such a distinct gender difference,” reports Eurekalert.

Questionnaires were issued to 526 respondents between the 10 to 34 years age group, out of which 408 had been diagnosed with asthma while 118 were part of the control group. Respondents were asked to detail how frequently they engaged in physical activity. Numerous tests that gauge respiratory conditions such as the Asthma Control Test, methacholine challenges, exhaled nitric oxide measurements and spirometry were also completed by the respondents.

Interestingly, asthma patients reported more frequent and longer physical workouts than their control group counterparts. However, those people with asthma that were considered especially physically active had a harder time controlling asthma symptoms, in particular – women, as compared to asthma patients who reported a moderately active lifestyle.

The study highlights the need for extra attention towards asthma treatment in highly active women, as well as the need to look for alternatives that have proven to be less harmful – such as Yoga and aerobic activity. However, the topic needs further study in order to measure the intensity and type of physical activity and particular exercise.

The research has been published in the journal Respirology.

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