Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 14, 2026

Home-Based Prescribed Pulmonary Exercise in Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Home-Based Prescribed Pulmonary Exercise in Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Published on: August 24, 2019

Effects of aquatic exercise therapy on lung function in patients with asthma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Xiaofeng Cheng¹, Jinsong Luo², Xianhui Liao³

¹Department of Infectious Diseases, Shangyu People's Hospital of Shaoxing, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China.

Frontiers in Physiology

|September 12, 2026

Abstract

Background:

Exercise is recommended as an adjunctive therapy for asthma, yet the effects of aquatic exercise on pulmonary function remain uncertain because findings from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been inconsistent. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize the current evidence regarding the effects of aquatic exercise on pulmonary function in patients with asthma.

Methods:

This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 statement. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL were systematically searched from database inception to 4 July 2026. Randomized controlled trials comparing structured aquatic exercise with routine care, health education, or land-based exercise in patients with asthma were included. The primary outcomes were forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁), FEV₁ (% predicted). Secondary outcomes included FEV₁/FVC (%), forced vital capacity (FVC), FVC (% predicted), peak expiratory flow (PEF), PEF (% predicted), and forced expiratory flow at 25-75% of FEF (FEF₂₅₇₅% predicted). Age-based subgroup analyses were performed for FEV₁ and PEF.

Results:

Thirteen RCTs involving 391 participants, were included. Aquatic exercise significantly improved FEV₁ (MD = 0.21 L, 95% CI 0.02-0.41), PEF (MD = 0.51, 95% CI 0.12-0.91), FVC (% predicted) (MD = 12.31%, 95% CI 7.25-17.37), and FEF₂₅₇₅% predicted (MD = 10.75%, 95% CI 3.05-18.45). No significant improvements were observed for FEV₁ (% predicted), FEV₁/FVC (%), FVC, or PEF (% predicted). Subgroup analyses demonstrated that the improvement in FEV₁ was significant in participants aged <18 years but not in adults, whereas PEF improved in both age groups.

Conclusions:

Aquatic exercise improves several indicators of pulmonary function in patients with asthma, particularly absolute FEV₁, PEF, FVC (% predicted), and FEF₂₅₇₅% predicted. Children and adolescents may derive greater benefits in FEV₁ than adults, suggesting that aquatic exercise represents a promising adjunctive pulmonary rehabilitation strategy, especially for younger individuals with asthma.

Keywords:

aquatic exercise asthma meta-analysis pulmonary function pulmonary rehabilitation systematic review

More Related Videos

Using Continuous Data Tracking Technology to Study Exercise Adherence in Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Using Continuous Data Tracking Technology to Study Exercise Adherence in Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Published on: November 8, 2013

Related Concept Videos

Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Oxygen Therapy for Respiratory Failure

Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Oxygen Therapy for Respiratory Failure

Oxygen therapy has emerged as a significant tool in enhancing the quality of life for patients suffering from pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). While this therapy has principally been studied on patients with significant hypoxemia, this therapeutic approach helps prevent potential organ damage and can be administered in the comfort of one's home.
Oxygen therapy is vital in increasing and maintaining blood oxygen levels in PAH patients. As a result, it aids in reducing fatigue, improving...

COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids

COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids

Chronic obstructive pulmonary isease (COPD) involves a group of progressive lung disorders characterized by persistent airflow limitation and chronic respiratory symptoms. Asthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome (ACOS), encompassing features of both asthma and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is a group of progressive lung disorders that includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and refractory (non-reversible) asthma. ACOS leads to complex clinical presentations that combine the inflammatory...

Chest Physiotherapy

Chest Physiotherapy

Chest Physiotherapy (CPT) is a therapeutic technique used in respiratory care to improve ventilation, clear bronchial secretions, and enhance the efficiency of respiratory muscles. This therapy includes three primary procedures: postural drainage, percussion, and vibration. It can be performed on spontaneously breathing patients and those who are intubated and mechanically ventilated.
Purpose
CPT is primarily used for patients with excessive bronchial secretions who have difficulty clearing...

Factors Affecting Pulmonary Ventilation

Factors Affecting Pulmonary Ventilation

Besides the pressure difference between the external environment and the lungs, the airflow rate and ease of pulmonary ventilation are also influenced by three other factors: surface tension of the fluid in the alveoli, compliance of the lungs, and airway resistance.
Alveolar Surface Tension
The alveolar fluid lines the luminal surface of the alveoli and exerts a force called surface tension. This force is caused by the polar water molecules in the liquid being more strongly attracted to each...

Exercise and Cardiovascular Response

Exercise and Cardiovascular Response

Exercise significantly impacts cardiovascular response, which is crucial for understanding patient health and designing effective treatment plans.
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...

Exercise and Cardiac Output

Exercise and Cardiac Output

Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining cardiovascular health, with aerobic exercises being particularly effective. According to the American Heart Association, 150 minutes of moderate to intense aerobic exercise per week is recommended for a healthy heart. Aerobic activities may include brisk walking, running, bicycling, cross-country skiing, and swimming, ideally performed three to five times per week.
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be met...

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Effects of exercise interventions on fall-related injuries in community-dwelling older adults: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Frontiers in public health·2026

Quantification of microglial dynamic motility in vivo.

Biotechnic & histochemistry : official publication of the Biological Stain Commission·2026

tRNA-derived small RNA, tsRNA-5017b, as a novel biomarker for predicting severity in severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome.

Microbiology spectrum·2026

Multiple Intracranial Nocardia brevicatena Abscesses in a Patient with a Previous History of Tuberculosis: A Case Report.

Infection and drug resistance·2026

GFAP+ FOXF2+ ependymal cells promote blood-brain barrier repair via DLL4-NOTCH signaling after neural injury.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2026

Effects of Traditional Chinese Exercise on Mental Health and Physical Function With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Physiotherapy research international : the journal for researchers and clinicians in physical therapy·2026

See all related articles