Both moderate and vigorous intensity exercise benefit asthma

Published online June 18, 2024

A novel randomised controlled trial has investigated how different intensities of aerobic exercise training impact asthma outcomes. Asthma is one of the most common and burdensome respiratory conditions worldwide. Exercise training is recognised to be therapeutic for adults with asthma, but the optimal exercise intensity is unknown, and this has hampered clinicians’ ability to prescribe it for their patients.

Published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, a recent study by Valkenborghs et al. addresses the need for better evidence regarding the optimal exercise intensity for people with asthma. Conducted over 12 weeks with 46 adults with asthma, Valkenborghs et al. compared the effects of moderate-intensity exercise and vigorous-intensity exercise against a control group who maintained their usual levels of physical activity. Participants in both exercise training groups engaged in supervised exercise sessions three times per week at the University of Newcastle in Australia. To reflect real-world gym and exercise settings, participants used a range of typical equipment like treadmills, cycles, and elliptical cross trainers, and their heart rate was monitored to measure exercise intensity.

Results showed that both the moderate-intensity exercise and vigorous-intensity exercise groups improved asthma-related quality of life and asthma control compared to the control group. Additionally, moderate-intensity exercise reduced counts of certain inflammatory cells in the airways and decreased abdominal body fat. Interestingly, the researchers found that improvements in asthma-related quality of life and reductions in airway inflammation were linked to decreases in body fat. The authors concluded that both moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise are beneficial for adults with asthma. This new evidence suggests that either intensity of exercise can be prescribed as part of asthma management and empowers people with asthma to choose an exercise regimen that best suits their preferences and abilities.

The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice is an official journal of the AAAAI, focusing on practical information for the practicing clinician.

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