A Community-Based Swimming and Inspiratory Muscle Training Intervention to Promote Physical Activity and Asthma Control in Children With Mild Asthma

A Community-Based Swimming and Inspiratory Muscle Training Intervention to Promote Physical Activity and Asthma Control in Children With Mild Asthma

This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of adding inspiratory muscle training (IMT) to a structured swimming program on pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, ventilatory capacity, perceived exertion, and asthma control in children with mild persistent asthma. Thirty children aged 8-11 years were randomly assigned to either a swimming plus IMT group or a swimming-only group. Both groups participated in a supervised 4-week swimming program, while the experimental group additionally performed IMT twice daily. Pulmonary function tests, respiratory muscle strength, and Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT) scores were assessed before and after the intervention.

Asthma-related airway obstruction and respiratory muscle dysfunction may limit exercise tolerance and disease control in children. Swimming is considered a safe and beneficial exercise modality for pediatric asthma due to its humid environment and controlled breathing patterns. Inspiratory muscle training specifically targets respiratory muscle weakness and may further enhance pulmonary adaptations. This parallel-group randomized controlled trial examined whether combining IMT with swimming training yields superior improvements in lung function, respiratory muscle strength, ventilatory capacity, perceived exertion, and asthma control compared with swimming training alone. The intervention lasted four weeks, with objective pulmonary and respiratory muscle assessments conducted pre- and post-intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children aged 8-11 years
• Clinically diagnosed mild persistent asthma according to GINA guidelines
• Baseline FEV₁ ≥ 80% predicted
• Stable asthma treatment for at least 4 weeks
• Written informed consent from parents or guardians

Exclusion Criteria:

• Mild intermittent, moderate, or severe persistent asthma
• Acute asthma exacerbation during the study
• Other chronic respiratory, cardiovascular, or neuromuscular diseases
• Recent upper respiratory tract infection
• Use of medications affecting pulmonary function other than standard asthma therapy