Experiences of exercise in patients with asthma: qualitative analysis of discussions in a UK asthma online community

Background Engagement with exercise in adults with asthma is suboptimal. Limited information is available regarding factors affecting engagement with exercise.

Aim To explore experiences of exercise and linked unmet needs in adults with asthma.

Design & setting Qualitative thematic analysis of posts in a UK asthma online community, written between 2015 and 2020.

Method Posts were identified using keywords searches. Posts in the ‘Exercise’ topic section were additionally included. Thematic analysis of posts was undertaken.

Results 143 relevant posts were analysed. 92 participants were identified through posts (11M, 33F, 48 gender not stated, aged 26–73 years). Emerging themes included: fear of experiencing asthma symptoms during exercise, lack of information about how to deal with symptoms, external barriers, emotional response, and involvement of healthcare providers. Environmental factors, concomitant life stressors, distrust of healthcare professionals and embarrassment of displaying asthma symptoms during exercise were barriers to engagement. Facilitators included experiencing positive health outcomes following exercise and positive discussions regarding exercise with healthcare professionals. Strategies participants developed to enable exercise were warming up, increasing reliever and preventer inhalers when exercising and finding exercises felt as enjoyable.

Conclusion Future interventions to address fears of exercise-induced physical symptoms, and clear instructions on the use of inhalers when exercising are needed. Exploring patients’ attitudes to exercise in clinical consultations, especially in primary care, may be beneficial.