When doing cardiovascular exercise, there is a line between the level that is a comfortable challenge for your breathing and the level that feels uncomfortable for your breathing. When you have asthma, the difference between these two levels is a very thin line. It often does not take much to cause breathing that is not only uncomfortable, but also scary. The fear of an asthma episode with exercise can really drain motivation to do it at all.
This recent study found that people with elevated body weight and asthma had fewer episodes of asthma when exercise was part of weight loss when compared to a group losing weight without exercise. They also had less depressive symptoms, improved sleep quality and improved sleep apnea too!
That sounds great in theory, but when it comes down to it, if you are concerned about your ability to breathe while exercising, this information still does not lead to motivation. The fact is we are motivated, or de-motivated, by what we experience, not what we think. So exercising with asthma (or any breathing limitation) means you need to make sure your experience with exercise feels safe and comfortable for your breathing.
It is possible when you use your ability to self-monitor your exercise intensity. Staying mindful while exercising means you can tune into the signals from your body as you start approaching that line, before moving into an uncomfortable challenge level. The more in tune you are with those warning signals, the sooner you can slow down to bring it back to a comfortable breathing level. Practicing the art of self-monitoring your breathing level while exercising means you are more likely to reduce your risks of an asthma episode with exercise. That probably means you will have an easier time getting yourself motivated to do it regularly.
The bonus of regular exercise is your body adapts and with asthma the line between just enough and too much gets a little less fine. You start building the ability to do more exercise before you reach the uncomfortable breathing level. That can mean fewer episodes and freedom to do more activities at a comfortable breathing level.
If you have asthma, you know what triggers an asthma episode can change day to day and with different environments, so use this information in the way that is right for you. But this skill is a key part of using regular cardiovascular exercise as part of the treatment for asthma and many other breathing limitations.
Keep Moving, Be Well,
Janet
These weekly blogs are general guidelines. These guidelines apply to patients who are cleared by a physician for the type of exercise described. Please contact your physician with any concerns or questions. Always report any symptoms associated with exercise, such as pain, irregular heartbeats, and dizziness or fainting, to your physician.
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