Asthma and physical activity--a population based study results from the Swedish GA(2)LEN survey.
BACKGROUND
Having asthma has in previous reports been related to a lower physical activity level. At the same time the prevalence of asthma among elite athletes is high. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between physical activity level and asthma.


METHODS
A postal questionnaire was completed by 25,610 individuals in Sweden. Current asthma was defined as having had an asthma attack during the last 12 months or current use of asthma medication. The participants were asked how often and for how many hours a week they were physically active.


RESULTS
In the population 1830 subjects (7.1%) had current asthma. There was no significant difference in the proportion of subjects that reported being inactive or slightly physically active between asthmatic and non-asthmatics (57 vs. 58%) while the proportion of subjects that were vigorously physically active (≥2 times a week and ≥7 h per week) was higher among the subjects with asthma (6.7 vs. 4.8%, p < 0.0001). Being vigorously physically active was independently related to current asthma (OR (95% CI)) 1.40 (1.11-1.77)), wheeze (1.39 (1.17-1.65)), wheeze and breathlessness (1.68 (1.38-2.04)), and wheezing without having a cold (1.39 (1.13-1.71)). The association between being vigorously physically active and wheeze was significantly stronger in women compared to men.


CONCLUSIONS
There was no difference in the proportion of subjects with a reported low level of physical activity between asthmatics and non-asthmatics. Health care professionals should, however, be aware of the increased prevalence of asthma and asthma-related symptoms in vigorously physically active subjects.
Department of Medical Sciences, Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Uppsala University, Akademiska sjukhuset, 75185 Uppsala, Sweden.
Camilla
C
Jerning
Emma
E
Martinander
Anders
A
Bjerg
Linda
L
Ekerljung
Karl A
KA
Franklin
Bengt
B
Järvholm
Kjell
K
Larsson
Andrei
A
Malinovschi
Roelinde
R
Middelveld
Margareta
M
Emtner
Christer
C
Janson
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001250:Asthma, Exercise-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
Asthma; Exercise; Exercised-induced asthma; Physical activity