People with asthma may experience symptoms when they exercise, keeping them from partaking in healthy activities. Exercise is important for overall health, weight control, heart health and circulation. Asthma sufferers should make exercise a part of their regular routine, but when symptoms make exercise uncomfortable it is understandable that they may avoid it.
Asthma sufferers should talk to their physicians if symptoms are preventing them from participating in activities. The asthma doctor may be able to make an adjustment in the asthma action plan that can provide relief.
Asthma has several different triggers, so one person may be able to exercise without a problem, while another asthma sufferer will find that exercise triggers an episode.
According the Mayo Clinic website, exercise induced asthma can be made worse by cold weather, dry air, air pollution (smoke, smog), high pollen counts, respiratory infections, being out of shape and chemicals (chlorine, paint, fertilizers or herbicides).
Types of Exercise for People With Asthma
According to Web MD there are some types of exercise that are better tolerated than others.
- Activities that involve short, intermittent periods of exertion with breaks in between are generally well tolerated. Activities such as volleyball, baseball, gymnastics and wrestling allow for periods of exercise broken up with some rest periods.
- People with asthma can also usually tolerate solo sports that allow them to keep an individual pace, such as bike riding, aerobics, walking or running on a treadmill.
- Swimming is an endurance sport that most people with asthma can tolerate well. The warm, moist air of the swimming pool helps with breathing.
- Sports that involve extended periods of exertion are not tolerated as well as intermittent activities. Activities that are not as well tolerated by people with asthma include running, soccer, basketball, field hockey, ice hockey, ice-skating and cross-country skiing. Many people with asthma are able to participate in these activities and should feel free to do so if they do not experience symptoms.
Exercising Tips for People with Asthma
- People with asthma should keep an eye on the weather and pollen counts before exercising. High pollen counts can trigger an asthma episode.
- Cold weather can atrigger an episode, so outdoor sports in the winter weather may trigger an episode, even though the activity can be safely be participated in during milder weather.
- If an inhaler is prescribed use it before starting to exercise.
- If the weather is cold outdoors, exercise indoors.
- If the weather is cold wears a mask of scarf over the nose and mouth.
- Learn to breathe through the mouth or through pursed lips as much as possible during exercise.
- Choose a humid exercise environment. Take a walk on a trail near a lake to go to a gym with an indoor swimming pool.
- Wear a face mask.
- If asthma is triggered by allergies, avoid exercise outdoors when pollen counts are high, when air pollution is high or when there is an ozone alert.
- Restrict exercise during episodes of viral infections, like a cold.
- Monitor individual progress and exercise at appropriate level.
People with asthma should consult with their doctors about types of appropriate exercise. If exercising triggers symptoms, the doctor may be able to make an adjustment in the asthma control plan.
