Differences between swimming and running as stimuli for exercise-induced asthma

Abstract

Thirteen children each exercised for 6 min by running on a treadmill and by tethered swimming, breathing air at room temperature and either 8% or 99% relative humidity continuously. Ventilation, gas exchange and heart rate were closely matched in all four tests in each child, with a mean oxygen consumption of 32.3 +/- 1.7 ml x min-1 x kg-1. The post-exercise fall in FEV1 expressed as a percentage of the baseline FEV1 (delta FEV1) was significantly greater after running compared with swimming breathing either humid or dry air. The delta FEV1 was also related to respiratory heat loss (RHL) calculated from measurements of inspired and expired gas temperature and humidity. At a standardised RHL, the difference between running and swimming was highly significant [delta FEV1 (%) +/- SE = 39 +/- 5 and 28 +/- 4 respectively, p less than 0.01]. These experiments suggest that the type of exercise influences the severity of exercise-induced asthma even under conditions of the same metabolic stress and respiratory heat loss.

Airway obstruction in competitive swimmers

“…Swimming has also been recommended physical exercise for asthmatics, because of its low asthmogenity. Swimming triggers fewer respiratory symptoms than running or cycling at same intensity level [7].…”

Avaliação espirométrica e da hiper-responsividade brônquica de crianças e adolescentes com asma atópica persistente moderada submetidos a natação

“…2 The benefits of swimming are also due to the horizontal position of the body, which provides a more adequate and constant breathing pattern compared with other forms of exercise, and to the high humidity present in pools. [2][3][4][5][6][7] The few studies published thus far (Table 1) on the effects of swimming in asthmatic individuals cannot be compared among one another due to methodological differences, which include type and duration of swimming program used, choice of outcomes, absence of a control group, and sample size determination issues.…”

Clinical Exercise Testing in Children

“…Moreover, the severity, duration and type of exercise may influence the severity of EIA. Running, as compared to swimming under the same inspired air conditions and work intensity, will result in much more EIA [45]. It is also important to note that the recovery from EIA differs in younger compared with older children.…”