Unfortunately, many asthma sufferers live a sedentary lifestyle instead, preferring to avoid exercise in order to avoid the shortness of breath that accompanies it. However, that can lead to obesity, which in turn worsens asthma. Thus, by helping the body, asthmatics are helping their lungs.
When Jaycie Ingersoll, who has asthma, began walking, she felt better "no matter how awful I felt in the morning."
Twenty more pounds later, and struggling with allergies, she saw a doctor who diagnosed her with asthma.
But instead of telling Kyle to hang up her running shoes, he encouraged her to start exercising again.
The conventional wisdom today for children and adults with asthma is that in most cases, exercise can lessen the severity of their symptoms and often help reduce their medication.
Exercise-induced asthma affects about 80 percent of people with allergic asthma, says Dr. Robert Eitches, assistant clinical professor of medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine.
Symptoms, which include coughing, wheezing, a tightness in the chest and shortness of breath, can be triggered by breathing faster and through the mouth, which occurs during exercise.
The air that's breathed in is usually dryer and cooler than air inhaled through the nose.
Decades ago, doctors recommended rest, rest and more rest for asthma patients, resulting in generations of children who grew up staring out the window watching their friends play.
That's what happened to 65-year-old Jaycie Ingersoll during her childhood in San Antonio.
"I would feel better, no matter how awful I felt in the morning," says Ingersoll, who also stretches, practices yoga-style breathing exercises and swims during the warmer months.
As with Kyle, without proper diagnosis people might assume they're out of shape and stop exercising altogether.
Even with proper diagnosis and medication, many people don't know how to exercise properly, and drop out after doing too much too soon.
Because cold air can trigger an asthma attack, morning exercisers might do better indoors.