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Asthma symptoms and experiences of dyspnea challenge participation in physical activity (PA). Therefore, in-depth understanding of experiences with PA is essential. In this meta-ethnography, we synthesized published qualitative studies of experiences of children and adolescents with asthma that influenced, or limited, participation in PA. We followed Noblit and Hare's 7 phases of meta-ethnography. We searched relevant databases by December 18, 2023 for published peer-reviewed studies (Medline (OVID), Embase (OVID), PsycINFO (OVID), CINAHL (EBSCHOhost), SPORTDiscus (EBSCHOhost), SocINDEX (EBSCHOhost), and Social Science Citation Index (WoS)) and theses (ProQuest Nursing (2) acquiring and managing new PA and asthma skills; and (3) enjoying PA and experiencing well-being. We also defined 3 themes covering aspects related to PA limitations: (4) feeling misunderstood and penalized in relation to PA; (5) experiencing nervousness, embarrassment, shame, and sadness during PA; and (6) withdrawing from PA due to asthma, environment, and/or socially imposed attitudes. The themes were synthesized into the following lines of argument: children and adolescents with asthma experience that PA enforces empathic/non-empathic relationships, vulnerability, and awareness; PA enhances resilient participation and well-being, or reinforces resignment to isolation and shame. From the outset of either relatedness or being penalized, youngsters with asthma either manage well and experience well-being, or experience shame and withdrawal.Registration: PROSPERO No. 164797.
Westergren et al. (Mon,) studied this question.