Physical Activity and Asthma
How Physical Activity helps
Many people have misconceptions about the effect of physical
activity on asthma. Research has shown that physical activity can
help prevent the airways from tightening up when triggered, and
lead to fewer asthma attacks. - Physical activity is particularly
important for children with asthma, it boosts self-esteem and
confidence, and enables them to do more and cope better with their
asthma. Being active while they are young will help them continue
to be active when they are adults.
Safe Practice
During physical activity, you breathe more rapidly and this
cools and dries the lining of the airways. This
irritates them and can bring on an asthma
attack.
The following can help prevent this from
happening:
- Use a fast-acting blue inhaler 15-20 minutes before starting to exercise, do a gentle warm-up consisting of stretches and jogging on the spot. This will help reduce the risk of getting asthma symptoms while you are doing the exercise.
- Try to minimise your exposure to asthma triggers such as pollen and cold weather while you are exercising.
- If you have or have recently had a respiratory infection, cut down on the amount of physical activity you do.
- Avoid activity if you have significant asthma symptoms before you start the exercise.
- Make sure you spend 10 minutes cooling down at the end of each session. This will help reduce the risk of getting asthma symptoms afterwards
- If you are playing sport at a competitive level, find out from the relevant sporting governing body which asthma medications are permitted. Some are classed as performance-enhanced drugs and competitors are not allowed to take them
Physical activity as well as viral infections, cold weather,
pollens and animal dander are common triggers of asthma, but
symptoms can be prevented by appropriate
management.
If your asthma symptoms are not controlled, your doctor or
nurse should review your treatment.