Role of exercise training and antioxidant supplements in asthma

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by respiratory symptoms, variable airway obstruction, airway hyperresponsiveness, and airway inflammation. In the current research, the role of exercise and antioxidant supplements in asthma has been discussed.

Using several databases including Google Scholar, Web of Science, Science Direct, Pupmed, Scopus and using the titles of asthma and the names of their types and related names for the keywords of asthma until the end of 2021, a search was made.

Focusing on the effects of exercise training and the role of antioxidant supplements that have been used in various studies, it can be said that many studies on exercise conditioning in patients with asthma include different methods and outcome measures, the vast majority Studies show the potential of safe exercise for people with asthma. There are several proposed pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for the effects of reduced activity on lung function in patients with asthma. In addition to the usual management guidelines, physicians should recommend exercise activities, especially regular aerobic and breathing exercises, to patients with asthma for general health benefits and possible improvement of asthma symptoms. Also, the lungs of asthmatic patients are exposed to oxidative stress due to the production of active oxygen and nitrogen species. Oxidative stress may also cause inactivation of antioxidant enzymes, resulting in increased apoptosis, loss of airway epithelial cells, and airway remodeling. For this reason, it is necessary to cover this deficiency in these patients.