Effects of aquatic physical exercise on people with respiratory problems. A bibliographic review

Abstract

Background: The conduct of this review is based on a series of previous events which impel us to work with the population suffering from respiratory problems, with the main intention of solving them. Today, we know that people with respiratory problems have a higher death rate and a lower quality of life than healthy people. Moreover, it is one of the main causes of death at European level (Eurostat) and we know that the number of cases is increasing more and more (INE, 2015), making the study of this type of population very important.

Objetives: To determine whether respiratory problems are a limiter of physical activity and to observe and compare the effects of physical activity programmes in an aquatic environment.

Method: Comparison of different recent studies, in which asthmatic population, allergic rhinitis and spinal cord injury are treated by carrying out a specific intervention in the aquatic environment to analyse the different effects on respiratory variables.

Results: The results obtained indicate that the application of certain programmes of aquatic activities will not produce negative effects on the asthmatic population, and in some cases benefits are even obtained with respect to programmes in the terrestrial environment.

Conclusions: We can conclude that there is a need to include this population in the practice of physical activity, both to improve their health and to make it easier for them to carry out basic activities of daily life.

Keywords: asthma, swimming, aquatic exercise, spirometric variables, programme, training, lung function, benefits.