Parents of children with asthma think that any exercise can aggravate their asthma symptoms. As a result, they eliminate all forms of physical activities from their children’s schedules. However, what they are doing is wrong.

It is true that asthma symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath, worsen during any form of vigorous physical activity like competitive cycling, long-distance running, soccer, basketball, skiing and ice hockey. The greater the intensity, the greater the risk of an asthma attack. The situation is even worse if the activity takes place outdoors, in either too hot or too cold climate. That’s why children with exercise-induced asthma, i.e. the asthma where symptoms worsen during exercise, must consult with their parents and doctors before undertaking any form of vigorous physical activity.

However, children with asthma should not avoid all forms of physical activity. They must engage in regular exercises and sports that are not too vigorous. Examples include swimming, baseball, gymnastics, biking, walking and football.

Active participation in sports or exercises can bring many benefits to these children: healthy weight, physical strength and wellbeing and better sleep. Also, it can make the breathing muscles stronger, and thus lead to better functioning of the airways, also known as “bronchioles”, in the lungs. In this way, physical activities can play a role in helping children with asthma.