Exercise and Asthma

• Physical activity is important for your child's physical and mental health.
• Children with asthma should be encouraged to participate completely in physical education, sports, and other activities in school.
• Exercise can trigger symptoms in children with asthma.
• Proper asthma control can make a great difference in your child's ability to exercise normally.
• It is important for parents to speak with their child's physical education teachers and coaches about their child's asthma management.
• If your child's asthma is interfering with your child's ability to participate in physical activity, tell your child's doctor.

How does exercise cause asthma symptoms?

• It is unknown why exercise causes some people to have narrowing of the airways and spasms in the muscles of the airways.
• In general, exercise-induced asthma is most likely to occur with endurance exercise (such as running) in cool, dry air.
• Sometimes exercising in warm, humid air with a lot of pollutants or swimming in a poorly ventilated space with strong chlorine fumes can cause asthma symptoms too.

How Can You Prevent Exercise-Induced Asthma?

• The most important thing to do to prevent asthma symptoms with exercise is to make sure that your child’s asthma is well controlled.
• Exercise-induced asthma symptoms tend to improve as fitness improves.
• If symptoms only occur with certain types of activities, try a different sport.
• Do a short warm-up exercise before the main exercise session.
• Drink plenty of fluids before, during, and after exercise.
• Your child’s healthcare provider might recommend that your child use their asthma medications 10-20 minutes prior to exercise.

This publication was adapted from information within American Academy of Pediatrics Patient Education Handouts, GINA Patient Guide, and the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

Reviewed by:  AR D.O.  | 08/2023