Reducing Asthma Symptoms Through Swimming: A Case Study of 8-12-Year Old Children in Padang

Objective: This study aims to examine whether swim training is effective in reducing asthma symptoms and can increase the Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) and Vital Capacity (VC) in children who experience asthma symptoms. Sports training have been proven in improving lung function and asthma control in children, but better forms of training for asthmatics have not been determined up to recently. Swimming movements involve almost all the muscles of the body, increasing the ability of the respiratory muscles, so that it is effective reducing asthma symptoms. Methods: This qualitative and quantitative study with Research and Development approach was employed through several phases; (1) constructing information of asthma symptoms experienced by students, (2) developing of swim training programs, (3) limited trials and (4) swim training for children who experience asthma symptoms. This study involved 28 elementary school students aged 8-12 years in Padang taken by purposive sampling technique. Instruments used to collect data of asthma symptoms were experts (doctors)diagnosis, questionnaires, and interviews. Instrument used to collect data of PEF rate was a peak flow meter, and instrument used to collect data of VC was rotary spirometer. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and t-test with 95% confidence interval. Results: Swimming activities(1) are effective in reducing asthma symptoms, (2) significantly increase PEF rate (p = 0.00 <0.05) and, (3) significantly increase VC (p = 0.00 <0.05) in children who experience asthma complaints. Conclusions: This study shows that through swimming activities can reduce asthma symptoms for children aged 8-12 years in Padang.