PhD student Charles Winn has published a paper analysing perceptions of asthma and exercise in adolescents both with and without asthma in the UK. This comes as a timely publication following a recent study by Bispebjerg University Hospital, Copenhagan, whose findings showed that regular exercise and a healthy diet helped people halve their asthma symptoms within two months.
Charles’ investigation of the perceptions of asthma and exercise revealed that fear of an asthma attack emerged as the main barrier to exercise, with many adolescents with asthma withdrawing from exercise as a coping strategy. Despite this, 81% of adolescents with asthma reported exercise to be their most enjoyable activity, which shows promise for the use of exercise within an intervention. Adolescent views elicited from the study will now be used to inform the design of a high-intensity exercise intervention to improve asthma control.
Charles said about study:
“The benefits associated with exercise are well-recognised for children, with additional benefits, such as reduced symptoms and severity, for those with asthma. This study elicited not only the perceptions of adolescents with asthma but also those without asthma through group interviews.
The results highlighted the importance of educating adolescents about asthma which would aid in reducing stigmatisation and increasing the awareness of exercise-related health benefits for those with asthma. High-intensity intermittent varied exercise was highlighted as potentially effective at distracting those with asthma from their preconceptions regarding exercise, yet ensuring enjoyment.”
Links
Link to Charles Winn’s publication in the Journal of Asthma
Link to Asthma UK press release for recent Bispebjerg University Hospital asthma study