Physical exercise is essential for all children, and this does not exclude children with asthma. The practice of a sport not only promotes weight control and contributes to the development of muscles and bones in the child, but also helps strengthen the respiratory muscles and make the lungs work better.
Therefore, children with asthma not only can they, but they should practice some sport or physical activity on a frequent basis. Regular and moderate physical activity acts beneficially on the immune system and may reduce allergic inflammation.
What sport can you practice
The child can practice the sport he wants with proper control of the disease. It should be borne in mind that any exercise that is very demanding, prolonged and that causes a greater increase in the frequency of breathing is more “astrogenic”.
The most astrogenic sports are those of sustained activity, such as athletics, cycling, gymnastics, rowing. Also ice skating and skiing, for the cold and dry environment where they are practiced.
Sequential sports, such as swimming, tennis, badminton, judo, and team sports such as basketball, football, hockey, are less asmogenic.
Exercise-induced asthma
It is estimated that 80% of asthmatic children and adolescents have asthma symptoms when they exercise. These symptoms disappear almost completely if asthma is well controlled.
It is called effort asthma or asthma or exercise-induced bronchospasm (IEA) to the symptoms caused by the acute and reversible airway obstruction that appears during or after exercise.
They appear between 15 and 20 minutes after finishing the exercise, and in some cases during it. These are: shortness of breath, dry cough, continuous tightness in the chest and "dicks."
How to prevent exercise-induced asthma
It is important to preheat before exercising and do progressive training. Sports should be avoided in the course of an asthma crisis. Also, it is recommended to try to avoid outdoor sports on very cold or windy days. In some specific cases it can also be useful to take the medication 15 minutes before performing the sport.
If an asthmatic crisis occurs during sports, physical activity should be stopped immediately, remain at rest and apply the medication indicated by the doctor for those. If after 10 minutes it has not improved, the same doses will be repeated and the child will be taken to a medical center.
