NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Children with asthmaface a number of barriers to participation in physical activity,from family beliefs to school disorganization to their ownmisperceptions about their symptoms, the authors of a new researchreview say.

But given the multiple benefits of exercise, Dr. Brian Williamsof the University of Dundee in Scotland and colleagues conclude,physical activity is essential to kids with asthma, and effortsmust be made to remove these barriers.

Research has shown that exercise can boost aerobic fitness inasthmatic children, and may also have psychological benefits aswell, they report in the journal BMC Family Practice. “Theoverwhelming majority of studies show that people with asthma canexercise safely if medicated appropriately and can significantlyimprove their cardiovascular fitness and quality of life by doingso,” they add.