Asthma, exercise-induced asthma, and aquatic physical activities

Swimming is probably the most universal and healthiest sport, being practiced by individuals of all ages, either for leisure or to promote health. Compared to other types of physical activities (land based), swimming and other aquatic exercises are less likely to cause an asthmatic attack, often called exercise-induced asthma, or EIA. Asthmatics and other chronic respiratory patients are often advised to swim in order to improve their fitness and ameliorate their symptoms. This article discusses the relationship between aquatic exercise and asthma, and provides practical clinical guidelines for the use of swimming and other water-based physical activities.