Effects of swimming on lung function and clinical asthma control: An integrative review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62827/fb.v27i9.1315Keywords:
Water Sports; Exercise Therapy; Respiratory Function Tests; Quality of Life; Rehabilitation.Abstract
Introduction: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease that compromises respiratory function and daily well-being. Aquatic modalities are recommended as an adjuvant non-pharmacological intervention because they are performed in a warm and humid environment, which may reduce the risk of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. Objective: To analyze the effects of swimming on lung function parameters, symptom control, and quality of life in individuals with asthma. Methods: This is an integrative review based on the PICO strategy. Searches for primary studies and reviews were executed across four electronic databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, LILACS, SciELO, and Cochrane Library), accompanied by a complementary manual search as an additional information source. The evaluation of methodological quality applied the Downs and Black checklist. Results: Six studies were included and analyzed separately by type of evidence: one experimental study in humans, four reviews (three systematic and one scoping), and one preclinical study in an animal model. Data demonstrated favorable trends in specific spirometric parameters (forced vital capacity and absolute forced expiratory volume in one second), with no significant effect on peak expiratory flow, although the consistency of these findings is limited by high heterogeneity in methodological designs and populations studied, as well as the absence of a quantitative synthesis. The impact on quality of life showed scarce evidence, and attendance at chlorinated swimming pools showed no consistent association with asthma risk. Conclusion: Swimming may represent an adjuvant resource with potential benefits for lung function, although current evidence does not support a categorical recommendation, and its prescription must consider the methodological limitations and diversity of available studies.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Juan Pereira de Medeiros, Gustavo Henrique Lopes Coelho, Julia Furtado dos Reis, Giuliana Lucia Lima Gazal, Bárbara Ferreira Rodrigues (Autor)
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