Effects of Physical Activity on the Course of Bronchial Asthma and the Relationship Between Asthma and Competitive Sports - a Review of the Literature

Introduction: The symptoms of bronchial asthma, triggered in response to physical and chemical factors, including allergic and non-allergic ones, contribute to a progressive decline in physical condition, both through a decrease in the frequency of physical exercise practiced by patients and in the...

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Main Authors: Wiktor Korczak, Weronika Woźniak, Jakub Magielski, Monika Gaszyńska, Wojciech Falkowski, Maria Anna Madejska, Anna Krysińska, Antonina Drzewiecka, Artur Drzewiecki, Aleksandra Rudzka
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Kazimierz Wielki University 2025-05-01
Series:Journal of Education, Health and Sport
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Online Access:https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/59995
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author Wiktor Korczak
Weronika Woźniak
Jakub Magielski
Monika Gaszyńska
Wojciech Falkowski
Maria Anna Madejska
Anna Krysińska
Antonina Drzewiecka
Artur Drzewiecki
Aleksandra Rudzka
author_facet Wiktor Korczak
Weronika Woźniak
Jakub Magielski
Monika Gaszyńska
Wojciech Falkowski
Maria Anna Madejska
Anna Krysińska
Antonina Drzewiecka
Artur Drzewiecki
Aleksandra Rudzka
author_sort Wiktor Korczak
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: The symptoms of bronchial asthma, triggered in response to physical and chemical factors, including allergic and non-allergic ones, contribute to a progressive decline in physical condition, both through a decrease in the frequency of physical exercise practiced by patients and in the lack of symptom control caused by inadequate treatment or coexisting aggravating factors. Due to the frequent development of bronchial hyperreactivity and the prevalence of asthma in athletes, particularly competitive athletes, it was thought until recently that physical activity, whether work-related or sports-related, was inadvisable in asthma. Aim of the study: The purpose of this paper is to summarize the state of knowledge regarding the effects of competitive sports on the development of asthma, and to provide evidence that moderate physical activity can in turn complement its treatment. Materials and Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of the PubMed electronic database and Google Scholar to identify relevant studies published between 1989 and 2023. Inclusion criteria encompassed studies focusing on human populations, also including studies conducted in animals. Articles in languages other than English, case reports and editorials were excluded. Conclusion: A review of the literature indicates that prolonged and intense exposure of athletes to cold air, inhaled harmful chemicals, hyperventilation and intense exercise can result in increased inflammation in the airways, increased sputum production, smooth muscle contraction and bronchial obstruction. However, a growing number of recent studies indicate that regular and moderate physical activity, such as aerobic training, can help improve the overall cardiopulmonary capacity of patients with asthma, reduce coexisting risk factors such as obesity, and improve symptoms control, reduce inflammation, slow the decline in spirometric parameters and disease progression, particularly in children.
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spelling doaj-art-bc7aee9e9cb14602a7ffa7dfffb42d212025-08-20T03:53:13ZengKazimierz Wielki UniversityJournal of Education, Health and Sport2391-83062025-05-018010.12775/JEHS.2025.80.59995Effects of Physical Activity on the Course of Bronchial Asthma and the Relationship Between Asthma and Competitive Sports - a Review of the LiteratureWiktor Korczak0https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2177-7027Weronika Woźniak1https://orcid.org/0009-0007-4920-4230Jakub Magielski2https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0737-6262Monika Gaszyńska3https://orcid.org/0009-0007-0784-1370Wojciech Falkowski4https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7831-2570Maria Anna Madejska5https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2570-2313Anna Krysińska6https://orcid.org/0009-0001-8633-8410Antonina Drzewiecka7https://orcid.org/0009-0007-1007-2082Artur Drzewiecki8https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1664-1087Aleksandra Rudzka9https://orcid.org/0009-0008-6602-5522Provincial Specialist Hospital in Włocławek, ul. Wieniecka 49, 87–800 Włocławek; PLIndependent Public Health Care Facility in Słupca, ul. Traugutta 7 62-400 Słupca, PLIndependent Public Multi-Specialist Health Care Facility of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration in Bydgoszcz; Bydgoszcz, Kujawsko-pomorskie, PLProvincial Hospital in Bielsko-Biała , Al.Armii Krajowej 101, 43-316 Bielsko-Biała, PLProvincial Hospital in Bielsko-Biała, Al.Armii Krajowej 101, 43-316 Bielsko-Biała, PLMasovian Specialist Hospital in Radom, ul. Juliana Aleksandrowicza 5, 26-617 Radom, PLDr. Emil Warmiński Clinical Hospital of the Bydgoszcz University of Technology: Bydgoszcz, PLJan Biziel University Hospital No. 2 in Bydgoszcz: Bydgoszcz, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, PLUniversity Hospital A. Jurasz No.1: Bydgoszcz, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, PLMasovian Specialist Hospital in Radom, ul. Juliana Aleksandrowicza 5, 26-617 Radom, PL Introduction: The symptoms of bronchial asthma, triggered in response to physical and chemical factors, including allergic and non-allergic ones, contribute to a progressive decline in physical condition, both through a decrease in the frequency of physical exercise practiced by patients and in the lack of symptom control caused by inadequate treatment or coexisting aggravating factors. Due to the frequent development of bronchial hyperreactivity and the prevalence of asthma in athletes, particularly competitive athletes, it was thought until recently that physical activity, whether work-related or sports-related, was inadvisable in asthma. Aim of the study: The purpose of this paper is to summarize the state of knowledge regarding the effects of competitive sports on the development of asthma, and to provide evidence that moderate physical activity can in turn complement its treatment. Materials and Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of the PubMed electronic database and Google Scholar to identify relevant studies published between 1989 and 2023. Inclusion criteria encompassed studies focusing on human populations, also including studies conducted in animals. Articles in languages other than English, case reports and editorials were excluded. Conclusion: A review of the literature indicates that prolonged and intense exposure of athletes to cold air, inhaled harmful chemicals, hyperventilation and intense exercise can result in increased inflammation in the airways, increased sputum production, smooth muscle contraction and bronchial obstruction. However, a growing number of recent studies indicate that regular and moderate physical activity, such as aerobic training, can help improve the overall cardiopulmonary capacity of patients with asthma, reduce coexisting risk factors such as obesity, and improve symptoms control, reduce inflammation, slow the decline in spirometric parameters and disease progression, particularly in children. https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/59995asthmabronchial hyperreactivitycompetitive sportsinflammationsymptoms controlaerobic training
spellingShingle Wiktor Korczak
Weronika Woźniak
Jakub Magielski
Monika Gaszyńska
Wojciech Falkowski
Maria Anna Madejska
Anna Krysińska
Antonina Drzewiecka
Artur Drzewiecki
Aleksandra Rudzka
Effects of Physical Activity on the Course of Bronchial Asthma and the Relationship Between Asthma and Competitive Sports - a Review of the Literature
Journal of Education, Health and Sport
asthma
bronchial hyperreactivity
competitive sports
inflammation
symptoms control
aerobic training
title Effects of Physical Activity on the Course of Bronchial Asthma and the Relationship Between Asthma and Competitive Sports - a Review of the Literature
title_full Effects of Physical Activity on the Course of Bronchial Asthma and the Relationship Between Asthma and Competitive Sports - a Review of the Literature
title_fullStr Effects of Physical Activity on the Course of Bronchial Asthma and the Relationship Between Asthma and Competitive Sports - a Review of the Literature
title_full_unstemmed Effects of Physical Activity on the Course of Bronchial Asthma and the Relationship Between Asthma and Competitive Sports - a Review of the Literature
title_short Effects of Physical Activity on the Course of Bronchial Asthma and the Relationship Between Asthma and Competitive Sports - a Review of the Literature
title_sort effects of physical activity on the course of bronchial asthma and the relationship between asthma and competitive sports a review of the literature
topic asthma
bronchial hyperreactivity
competitive sports
inflammation
symptoms control
aerobic training
url https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/59995
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