Swimming good for asthma

Swimming is good for people with asthma.

During lap swimming, breathing typically occurs every few strokes. Between strokes, the breath is held underwater. This lung exercise leads to increases in lung capacity over time. This can be very beneficial for older adults as lung capacity begins to diminish with age. Additionally, people with asthma can benefit from strengthening the lungs, since they also tend to have lower lung capacities. Over time, the improved lung function derived from swimming can help reduce the severity of asthma symptoms. However, indoor chlorinated pools can exascerbate asthma symptoms. Therefore, a well ventilated pool environment is recommended for asthma sufferers.