Is Swimming Good for People with Asthma? Unpacking the Health Benefits

Swimming is often recommended as a great form of exercise for people with asthma. But why? Let’s explore the health benefits, the precautions you should take, and how Asthma Australia’s resources can support you in making swimming a safe and effective part of your asthma management plan.

Exercise and asthma

Research shows that incorporating regular physical activity into your routine can significantly enhance your overall fitness and quality of life. Asthma should not stop you taking part it sport and exercise activities.

The studies suggest that any form of whole-body aerobic exercise can be beneficial. This includes activities like:

• Running
• Cycling
• Treadmill workouts
• Swimming
• Circuit training
• Pool exercises
• Step-ups

How much exercise is enough?

To experience the positive effects, aim for at least 20 minutes of aerobic exercise twice a week for a minimum of four weeks.

‘Aerobic exercise’ is anything that gets your heart pumping faster, and you may feel a little puffed, even if you don’t have asthma. It is also called ‘cardiovascular exercise’ or ‘cardio’ for short.

Why swimming is good for asthma

While various forms of exercise offer health benefits, there isn’t enough evidence to definitively recommend one over another specifically for people with asthma.

Some people with asthma find that swimming is beneficial for them because it’s done in a controlled environment, like an indoor pool, where the warm, humid air can help reduce their asthma symptoms. With the right preparation, it can be an excellent addition to your asthma management plan.

Here are some key reasons why people with asthma like swimming:

Warm, moist air: Unlike exercises performed in cold or dry air, swimming in warm, humid conditions helps keep your airways moist and less likely to become irritated. This reduces the risk of flare-ups during or after exercise. However, repeated chlorine exposure over time also risks harm to your lungs.

Improves lung function: Swimming is a low-impact activity that provides a full-body workout while gently increasing your endurance. Studies have found that swimming appears to improve lung function in children. Swimming in non-chlorinated pools has also been suggested to improve lung function in adults.

Breath control: Swimming requires you to use controlled breathing, which helps you practice regulating your breath— which can also help with managing asthma. Learn more about breath control on our Breathing Techniques page.

But, just like any sport, you still need to make sure that you’re asthma-safe. Here’s how you can swim safely:

Have a written Asthma Action Plan: This is your personalised guide to managing asthma. It includes steps to prepare for exercise and actions to take if symptoms occur. If you don’t have a plan yet, visit our Asthma Action Plan page to get started.

Warm up and cool down: Gradual warm-ups and cool-downs reduce the likelihood of exercise-induced symptoms.

Keep your reliever handy: Always bring your reliever puffer to the pool and ensure it’s easy to access.

For more information, read our Exercise and Sport page.

Precautions for swimming with asthma

Although swimming is a great activity for people with asthma, some triggers like chlorine can irritate the airways for some people. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Choose the right pool: If chlorine irritates your airways, consider swimming in a saltwater or freshwater pool.

Monitor symptoms: Stop swimming immediately if you feel breathless or notice wheezing. Follow Asthma First Aid and seek help if symptoms persist.

Stay prepared: Ensure your swimming environment is asthma-friendly and inform others about your condition in case of an emergency.

Is swimming safe for children with asthma?

Swimming can be safe and beneficial for children with asthma. Humid air above the surface of swimming pools might be less likely to trigger asthma than dry air environments.

Swimming training can increase their exercise capacity and possibly slightly improve their lung function. This research looked at the effects of regular swimming training, not splashing around in the pool for fun.

Parents should follow the same steps listed above to monitor their child’s sensitivity to chlorine and ensure their swimming coach is prepared for an asthma emergency.

If your child swims regularly, make sure that they have a written Asthma Action Plan and know when to use their reliever.

Visit our Asthma in Children page for detailed guidance on managing asthma in kids.

Complementary exercises for asthma

Swimming is fantastic, but it’s not the only option. Activities like yoga, cycling, and walking are excellent complements to an asthma management routine.

For any activity, take the same type of care about triggers in the environment. For example, perhaps you are more likely to breathe in pollen and other air allergens if playing a field sport like soccer? Or does your sport need you to train in the cold night/early morning air?

For more information, read our Exercise and Sport page.

How Asthma Australia can help

At Asthma Australia, we’re committed to supporting you in managing your asthma so you can live a full and active life. From providing tools like the written Asthma Action Plan to advice on managing asthma during exercise, we’re here to help. Explore our How We Can Help page for more resources.