Exercise Facts

• Exercise makes your heart and lungs stronger.
• Exercise increases muscle strength.
• Exercise improves posture and makes you more flexible.
• Exercise improves self-esteem, confidence and gives you energy.
• Feeling short of breath may be normal when you exercise. But when you stop exercising, the shortness of breath should go away.

 

Asthma Facts

• Asthma is a chronic disease of the airways in the lungs.
• Children with asthma can lead healthy active lives.
• Asthma can be different for each person.
• Asthma cannot be cured, but it can be controlled.

 

Asthma and Exercise

• Regular exercise is important for everyone, especially those with asthma.
• Children with asthma should be able to do any exercise or play any sport.
• Well controlled asthma should not limit exercise.
• Exercise may trigger asthma symptoms soon after starting or during exercise.
• If asthma stops your child from being active, asthma is out of control. See their doctor.
• More than 1 in 10 Olympic athletes have asthma.
• The only exercise people with asthma should not do is scuba diving.

 

Asthma Symptoms During Exercise

• Do not start exercising if you are having asthma symptoms.
• Asthma symptoms may include cough, wheeze, shortness of breath or a tight feeling in the chest.
• You may have other symptoms such as tiring easily or not being able to keep up with your friends.
• Prolonged exercise (e.g. running, soccer, hockey) is more likely to cause symptoms than short bursts of exercise such as volleyball, baseball or tennis.
• Exercising in a warm, humid setting (eg. swimming) may be less likely to cause symptoms.
• For some children with asthma, exercise can cause symptoms, but exercise does not cause asthma.

 

How to Prevent Symptoms:

• Keep asthma under control.
• Warm up before exercising and cool down after.
• If necessary, use your Reliever medicine 10 to 15 minutes before exercise. If you need your Reliever medicine more than 3 times a week, talk to your doctor. Your asthma is not under control.
• If possible, breathe through your nose instead of your mouth when you exercise.
• Avoid exercising outside when air pollution is bad or pollen counts are high. Exercise indoors instead.
• Cover your mouth and nose when exercising outside in cold air.

 

Asthma Allie Says:

"Stay Active!"

The Children's Allergy & Asthma Education Centre © 2014