Asthma and exercise

Exercise and physical activity is vital for keeping fit and healthy, and is an important part of good asthma management. Sometimes, however, the physical exertion of exercising or physical activity can trigger an episode of asthma. This is called exercise-induced asthma.

Exercise-induced asthma is usually easily managed and should be part of any asthma management plan. In fact, regular exercise will improve your health and wellbeing. You should be able to exercise as often as you wish, and if you regularly experience asthma symptoms during exercise, you should consult your doctor or respiratory specialist.

People with asthma should be able to participate in almost any sport or exercise. Scuba diving is the only sport not recommended. Most people with asthma can exercise to their full potential if their symptoms are managed properly. Many top athletes competing at the national and international level have asthma.

Exercise-induced asthma

When resting, we normally breathe through our nose, which warms and moistens the air travelling to our lungs. During exercise and physical activity, we will often breathe more quickly through our mouths, causing cold and dry air to travel to our lungs.

The cold and dry air can cause the muscles around the airway to tighten, increasing the chance of experiencing asthma symptoms.

Shortness of breath during or after physical activity is common. However, if physical activity causes symptoms with no relief after rest, you may have exercise-induced asthma. Those symptoms include:

• shortness of breath
• feeling of a tight chest
• dry or persistent cough
• wheeze.

It is the type of exercise, the amount of time spent exercising and the intensity of exercise that is important. Typically, vigorous activity for six minutes or more in cold, dry air is more likely to trigger asthma.

If you experience asthma symptoms during physical activity or exercise you should consult your doctor for further advice.

Tips to help prevent exercise-induced asthma

To prevent exercise-induced asthma, suggestions include:

• Ensure that your asthma is being well managed as this will make exercise-induced asthma less likely to occur.
• Always carry your reliever medication and spacer with you.
• Take your reliever medication between five and 20 minutes before warming up.
• Warm up before exercise as usual.
• During exercise, watch for asthma symptoms and be sure to take your reliever medication if symptoms appear. Only return to exercise if your asthma symptoms have been relieved. If asthma symptoms appear for a second time during exercise, take your reliever medication again until symptoms are relieved. It is not recommended that you return to the activity again.
• After exercise, cool down as usual, Asthma symptoms can occur up to half an hour after exercise. Make sure you take your reliever medication if you have symptoms after exercise.
• Regular activity is an important part of life. Don’t let asthma stop you from being active.
• Exercise can sometimes trigger exercise-induced asthma.
• Exercise-induced asthma can be prevented with medication and by preparing for exercise and physical activity.
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