Aquatic Exercise for Allergic Rhinitis

Responses of 6-weeks aquatic exercise on the autonomic nervous system, peak nasal inspiratory flow and lung functions in young adults with allergic rhinitis

By Taweesak Janyacharoen from the School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Science and Research Center in Back, Neck, Other Joint Pain and Human Performance (BNOJPH); Narupon Kunbootsri from the School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Science and Research Center in Back, Neck, Other Joint Pain and Human Performance (BNOJPH) and Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, and Improvement of Physical Performance and Quality of Life Research Group; Preeda Arayawichanon from the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine; Seksun Chainansamit from the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine; Kittisak Sawanyawisuth from the Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & the Research and Training Center for Enhancing Quality of Life of Working-Age People | Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand | June 2015

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a chronic respiratory disease. Sympathetic hypofunction is identified in all of the allergic rhinitis patients. Moreover, allergic rhinitis is associated with decreased peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) and impaired lung functions.

The aim of this study was to investigate effects of 6-week of aquatic exercise on the autonomic nervous system function, decreased peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) and lung functions in allergic rhinitis patients.

Twenty-six allergic rhinitis patients (12 males and 14 females) were recruited in this study. Subjects were diagnosed by a physician based on history, physical examination, and positive reaction to a skin prick test. Subjects were randomly assigned to two groups:

  1. Control allergic rhinitis group received education and maintained normal life.
  2. Aquatic group performed aquatic exercise for 30 minutes a day, three days a week for six weeks.

Heart rate variability, peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) and lung functions were measured at the beginning, after three weeks and six weeks.

There were statistically significant increased low frequency normal units (LF n.u.), peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) and showed decreased high frequency normal units (HF n.u.) at six weeks after aquatic exercise compared with the control group.

Six weeks of aquatic exercise could increase sympathetic activity and peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) in allergic rhinitis patients.

 

Reference:
Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2015 Jun;14(3):280-286., PDF file
PMID: 26546896 PubMed