Regularly moving your body is strongly recommended for all asthmatics.
- Asthma affects around 4 million people in France.
- It is responsible for nearly 60,000 hospitalizations and almost 1,000 deaths each year.
- Doing sports regularly or practicing physical activity diligently helps you cope better with asthma.
With the Olympic Games fast approaching, the Gregory Pariente Foundation lists the many benefits of physical activity and sport on asthma.
“Today, the observation is clear: 64% of asthmatics (75% of severe asthmatics) consider it necessary to practice physical activity and are aware of its benefits”, can we read in a press release. “However, 68% of them think that asthma is a handicap to access to high-level sport and 60% of severe asthmatics consider physical activity to be a challenge,” we also learn in the document sent to the editorial staff.
Asthma: what are the benefits of physical activity?
In order to stem this trend, the Gregory Pariente Foundation describes the 7 major benefits of physical activity and sport for asthmatics. At all ages, this lifestyle allows in particular:
– breathe better, to suffer less from the feeling of shortness of breath (dyspnea);
– to move better, so as not to enter the spiral of deconditioning;
– to prevent muscle wasting from getting worse;
– to better control your illness, your weight and your image;
– to better manage your quality of life;
– to reduce their disability;
– to take better responsibility for oneself.
Doctor Françoise Pariente Ichou, scientific manager of the Gregory Pariente Foundation (GPFD), explains: “physical activity adapted to each asthmatic is the best way to slow the progression of this chronic disease towards increasingly severe stages”. She continues: “Asthma should no longer be experienced as a “handicap” for access to high-level sport: on the contrary, it must be experienced as a “challenge” to climb to the highest step of the podium, as demonstrated severe asthmatic athletes involved alongside the GPFD”.
Asthma and physical activity: what precautions should you take?
To stay safe when practicing physical activity or sports, asthmatics must still pay attention to certain things:
– inhale your bronchodilator medication 10 to 15 minutes before any physical activity in order to avoid untimely contraction of the bronchi;
– take the time to warm up so as not to stress the body at the risk of triggering contractions and narrowing of the bronchi;
– take into account pollution peaks, heatwaves and extreme cold, even if it means postponing your session. If this is not possible, it is recommended to wear a face mask to warm the inhaled air;
– always hydrate well.
Asthma affects around 4 million people in France. It is responsible for nearly 60,000 hospitalizations and almost 1,000 deaths each year.
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease caused by permanent inflammation of the bronchi. It manifests itself in attacks, characterized by shortness of breath, wheezing, dry cough or a feeling of tightness in the chest.
