Asthma is one of the most common chronic conditions in childhood and swimming is one of the most popular sports/activities. Many allergists are interested in such questions – such as pediatric allergist Frederick E. Leicky, ND, MPH, in Indianapolis, Indiana. He shares his views on a study that was done to address some of this question: “Is there any proof that swimming in early childhood is associated with the prevalence of asthmas and allergy symptoms?”
An article in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine points to some conclusions about this question. By the way – 5,738 children were evaluated over time to gather this information. Only 12% of the mothers of these children had asthma and 21.4% had positive allergy skin tests with Asthma being present in 20%.
With all information accounted for, the study results indicate that swimming was not associated with ever having asthma. And interestingly, swimming was associated with a lower prevalence of currently having asthma and currently using asthma medication at age 7 years. There was also no significant association seen between swimming and current wheezing, eczema, nasal symptoms, or eye symptoms at age 7 or at age 10 years.
This information was reviewed from the perspective of the effect of swimming when there were previous respiratory tract symptoms at different ages. The protective effect of swimming noted above was only seen among children who wheezed prior to age 3.5 years.
Conclusions?
There was no significant association between swimming and bronchial hyper-reactivity. Swimming did not increase the risk of any respiratory tract symptom in children who were atopic (hyper-sensitive).
Swimming has actually been associated with better lung function and decreased asthma prevalence in children who had previous respiratory tract symptoms.
If you would like to read the reference article in its entirety, click here.
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