Several exercises, including yoga and breathing training plus aerobic training, have been found to improve measures of lung function in adults with asthma, according to a study published in the Annals of Medicine. The study included a meta-analysis of 28 randomized controlled trials involving 2,155 adults with asthma to determine the efficacy of different exercise interventions on lung function.
The analysis found that breathing training plus aerobic training and yoga training were more advantageous in improving lung function in adults with asthma compared to other exercise interventions. The researchers noted that different exercises improved various indicators of lung function, and the best approach to improve different metrics was not consistent among patients.
The study assessed five types of exercise: breathing training, aerobic training, relaxation training, yoga training, and breathing plus aerobic training. Improvement in lung function was observed with each exercise type, but the extent of improvement varied depending on the specific measure of pulmonary function being assessed.
Breathing training, aerobic training, and yoga training improved FEV1/FVC and also improved FVC in adults with asthma. Relaxation training was found to be the most effective in improving FEV1, while yoga training was most effective in improving PEF.
The researchers emphasized the need for further research to explore various aspects of exercise interventions, such as mode, intensity, frequency, age, and gender. Large-scale, double-blind randomized controlled trials are needed to validate and expand upon the findings of this study.
In conclusion, practicing yoga and participating in breathing training plus aerobic training can be beneficial for improving lung function in adults with asthma. These findings can inform clinical practice and help develop treatment guidelines for clinicians working with asthma patients.
