氣喘是孩童時期最常見的呼吸道氣流阻塞疾病,也是全球重要的公共健康問題。適度身體活動之參與,對氣喘孩童具有許多正面的健康效益,包括增進心肺功能、促進徵狀改善與控制、增加自信與生活品質,以及降低氣喘發作次數與用藥情形。本文蒐集游泳訓練相關研究文獻,並針對氣喘孩童之健康效益與生理機轉,來說明、解釋與分析其學理,並探討經研究驗證之運動計劃要素與原則。經相關研究整理後顯示游泳對氣喘孩童的健康效益主要有:一、增進心肺血管功能,二、不易引起氣喘過敏反應,與三、增進氣喘病徵之改善。而氣喘孩童有效的運動訓練處方則需包括:一、每次至少30分鐘以上的游泳訓練持續時間,每週至少2次,為期至少6週以上;二、訓練強度大約為60%最大心跳率以上;三、訓練超載之方式應先增加持續時間再增加訓練強度;與四、使用室內溫水游泳池,而相對溼度約60%為宜。
Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases in childhood and also is an important issue in public health around the would. Many studies have proved the benefits of regular exercise on asthmatic children, included increased cardiovascular function, ameliorated and controlled symptom, increased self-confidence and the quality of life. This article reviewed published peer-review papers concerning the benefits and exercise prescription of swimming for asthmatic children. According to the previous studies, it was concluded that the health benefits of swimming for asthmatic children were, 1) improving the cardiovascular function, 2) less asthmogenic for asthmatic children, and 3) alleviating the symptoms in asthma. The swimming prescription for asthmatic children should include, 1) at least 30 minutes per session, twice per week, and lasting more than 6 weeks, 2) the training intensity above 60% of the individual's maximal capacity; 3) increase duration for the progressive overload and then the intensity, and 4) swim in the warm and wet, the relative humidity above 60%, indoor swimming pool.