If your child has asthma, you may wonder if it’s safe for them to play sports — or if exercise could trigger breathing problems. Many kids with asthma can play sports and stay active. They just need the right tools and support. Exercise and activity can even help strengthen your child’s lungs and improve their well-being.
Here’s how to manage asthma and sports so your child can breathe easier while having fun.
Why is exercise good for kids with asthma?
Regular activity is important for everyone and that includes kids with asthma. Being active helps your child stay healthy and manage stress and it supports strong lungs and airways. It may even help reduce how often they have asthma symptoms.
“Regular exercise and staying active supports cardiovascular function, strengthens muscles and bones, helps maintain a healthy weight and enhances overall well-being,” said Cheryl Thome, RN, a pediatric asthma specialist with Banner Children’s.
The key is to help your child manage their asthma before, during and after activity.
“Your child can often avoid asthma flares with a combination of prevention strategies and good asthma management. Help them to avoid their asthma triggers or irritants, take their medication as directed and follow their personalized asthma action plan,” Thome said.
Which sports are best for kids with asthma?
“There are so many sports to choose from. Find a type of physical activity your child enjoys,” Thome said.
Some sports are easier for kids with asthma than others. In general, sports with short bursts of movement and built-in breaks tend to be easier to manage during exercise.
Asthma-friendly sports and activities
Your child may be interested in:
- Baseball
- Softball
- Martial arts
- Dance
- Golf
- Volleyball
- Dancing
- Fencing
- Swimming (in well-ventilated indoor pools)
- Yoga
- Walking clubs
- Gymnastics
If your child has allergies or environmental triggers (like dirt, dust, mold, pollen or grass), indoor sports may be a safer choice.
More challenging options
- Some sports (like long-distance running, cycling, soccer or basketball) can be harder for children with exercise-induced asthma because they don’t offer many breaks in activity.
- Sports like skiing or ice hockey could be tough for kids who have symptoms in cold or dry air.
What is an asthma action plan and why is it important?
Ask your child’s health care provider for an asthma action plan for athletes that coaches, teachers, caregivers and anyone supervising your child during sports or recess can follow. It’s an important tool for preventing asthma attacks during sports.
An asthma action plan should include:
- Medication: What medications your child uses and when to use them
- Warning signs: What signs to watch for during sports or activity
- Emergency steps: What to do if an asthma attack occurs
How can you manage asthma during sports?
“It is important to have asthma symptoms under control to play sports,” Thome said. “When exercising, your child should always have their quick-relief inhaler with a spacer.”
Everyone should use a spacer with metered-dose inhalers to help the medication get into the lungs better. Young children or those with poor coordination or trouble holding their breath for 10 seconds should use a spacer with a mask.
If your child starts to feel chest tightness, coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath during sports, they should stop and follow the asthma action plan. Their inhaler should always be close by.
To help prevent symptoms while your child is active, follow this routine:
- Pre-exercise inhaler: Use two puffs of the quick-relief inhaler with a spacer about 15 minutes before activity (unless your health care provider gives you other advice).
- Warm-up: Begin with five to 10 minutes of light movement like walking.
- Drink plenty of water: Stay hydrated before and during exercise.
- Watch for symptoms: Know when to take a break. Use the quick-relief inhaler if needed.
- Cool-down: Keep moving at a slower pace for at least five minutes.
- Stretching: Stretch after sports or exercise.
Your child may also need to use long-term control asthma medication, even when symptoms aren’t flaring.
How can coaches and teachers support your child?
Teachers, coaches, school nurses and other people supervising your child should know that your child has asthma. They should understand that your child needs to always have their quick-relief inhaler available.
Share your child’s asthma action plan and any other instructions with them. That way, they can assist your child with their quick relief inhaler, recognize worsening symptoms and know when to call 911. It’s helpful to have a copy of the asthma action plan stored with your child’s sports bag or equipment.
Let all supervising adults know your child has asthma and what to do in an emergency. Be sure they understand:
- Your child needs their inhaler nearby
- When to call 911 or seek help
- How to spot early asthma symptoms
“It’s important to share a child’s asthma triggers with their teachers and coaches. In the classroom, teachers can help create a safer environment by minimizing exposure to known triggers,” Thome said. “For instance, if the child’s triggers are furry animals, strong scents or cold air, the teacher should avoid having classroom pets, using scented plug air fresheners or opening windows during cold weather.”
Coaches can also help reduce exposure to common asthma triggers such as cold weather, poor air quality or high-intensity exercise. “Coaches can modify practice by moving activities indoors or allowing more breaks as needed to help prevent asthma flare-ups during practices and games,” Thome said.
When should kids with asthma take a break from sports?
Even with good asthma control, there may be times when your child needs to skip practice or take a break from sports, like:
- During an active asthma flare-up. If your child’s asthma flares, playing sports or exercising could make it worse. “They should take a break from the activity until the symptoms subside,” Thome said.
- When recovering from a cold or respiratory illness.
- If outdoor conditions like smoke or high pollen make it harder to breathe.
Rest and recovery are important parts of asthma management during exercise.
Can kids with asthma still enjoy an active life?
With the right support, asthma doesn’t have to sideline your child — or their dreams. With planning, medication and guidance, many kids with asthma safely enjoy sports, physical education and outdoor play.
The bottom line
If you're looking for guidance or need help creating an asthma action plan, our team at Banner Health is here to help. We offer care for families managing asthma and provide tools to help your child stay healthy and active.
