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

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