Scientists in Canada believe they have found the secret to keeping asthma symptoms in check: 30 minutes of exercise a day.

Despite common wisdom that asthma sufferers should refrain from strenuous exercise for fear it will leave them short of breath, new research suggests a lung-busting run could be just what the doctor ordered.

In a study recently published in BMJ Open Respiratory Research, experts from a number of Canadian institutions analysed the exercise habits of 643 participants who had been diagnosed with asthma.

The findings were striking. Those who met recommended levels (30 minutes a day) of physical activity on a regular basis were nearly two-and-a-half times more likely to have good control of their symptoms, compared with those who did no exercise.

"We're not talking about running marathons here," said Simon Bacon, the study's lead author and a professor in the Department of Exercise Science at Concordia University.

"Just 30 minutes a day of walking, riding a bike, doing yoga – anything active, really – can result in significant reduction of asthma symptoms."

The scientists acknowledge the challenges of getting active when suffering from asthma, but say simple precautions can be taken to avoid any additional discomfort from exercise.

"The issue of exercise-induced bronchospasm is real – but if you use your reliever medication, blue puffer, before you exercise, and then take the time to cool down afterwards, you should be okay," added Bacon. "Even if you have asthma, there's no good reason not to get out there and exercise."