"Millions of people suffer from asthma. Many report having poor control of their symptoms. Fortunately new research shows there is a simple antidote  minutes of exercise a day yearround. In a study recently published in BMJ Open Respiratory Research experts from Concordia University the Hpital du SacrCoeur de Montral and several other institutions analyzed the exercise habits of  participants who had been diagnosed with asthma. Results were overwhelmingly clear those who engaged in optimal levels of physical activity on a regular basis were nearly twoandahalf times more likely to have good control of their symptoms compared with those who did no exercise. The workout doesnt have to be strenuous. Were not talking about running marathons here says Simon Bacon the studys lead author and a professor in the Department of Exercise Science at Concordia. Just  minutes a day of walking riding a bike doing yoga  anything active really  can result in significant reduction of asthma symptoms. Traditionally people with the condition have been discouraged from exercising because of a belief that it triggers shortness of breath and attacks. Bacon explains that simple precautionary measures can be taken to avoid the discomforts that can be caused by physical activity. The issue of exerciseinduced bronchospasm is real  but if you use your releaver medication blue puffer before you exercise and then take the time to cool down afterwards you should be okay he says. Even if you have asthma theres no good reason not to get out there and exercise. Thats a message Bacon hopes resonates. Within his sample group of  individuals a whopping  reported doing no physical activity. Only  said they engaged in the optimal  minutes a day. Those numbers reflect the population in general says Bacon who is also director of the Centre de radaptation JeanJacquesGauthier at Hopital du SacrCoeur. Forty per cent of people dont exercise at all he says. We need to keep in mind that doing something is better than nothing and doing more is better than less. Even the smallest amount of activity is beneficial. Its something to keep in mind during winter months when fitness levels tend to drop along with the temperature and cold air provides another trigger for asthma symptoms. Our study shows that those who were able to engage in physical activity on a regular basis yearround benefit most says Bacon. If necessary he suggests finding an indoor place to move whether its the gym a staircase or a shopping mall. Its all about being creative and finding environments where the cold doesnt become an issue. Could a prescription for exercise be the result of this study Bacon is hopeful. It would be great to see physicians recommending physical activity to patients with asthma alongside traditional pharmacological treatments he says. Partners in research Funding support for this study was provided by grants from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Fonds de recherche du Quebec  Sante the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Michel Auger Foundation of Hopital du SacreCoeur de Montreal.  Institutions involved are Hpital du SacrCur de Montral Concordia University Universit de Montreal Universit de Quebec en Outaouais Universit de Montpellier and Universit de Quebec  Montreal. Related links  Cited study httpbmjopenrespres.bmj.comcontente.abstract  Department of Exercise Science https  Simon Bacon https  Hopital du SacrCur Montral http  Media contact  Cla Desjardins  Senior advisor media relations  University Communications Services  Concordia University  Phone  ext.   Email clea.desjardinsconcordia.ca mailtoclea.desjardinsconcordia.ca  Web http  Twitter CleaDesjardins"