Asthma is a common long term health condition affecting children and young people. Asthma should not prevent children from leading active, healthy lives. In fact, being active can help to improve a child’s quality of life and help to keep their lungs healthy. Find out more about how exercise can support children with asthma and how, as a parent or guardian, you can support them to get active safely.
Regular movement is good for a child’s lungs because it increases the strength of the muscles around their lungs and the rest of their body. As they build strength, their muscles will need less oxygen to work. This means that they will breathe better while moving.
The benefits of physical activity for people with asthma include:
Seventeen year-old Emily from Boston started kickboxing at the age of 7. She has asthma but hasn’t let that stop her from achieving a high level in Kickboxing, with achievements including representing team GB in the sport at the European championships. Emily says:
“I have asthma which I got diagnosed with it at a young age. However, I have not let that stop me doing the sport I love. There are many other people take part in the sport who look up to me and aspire to be like me. I am always wanting to reach my highest potential to achieve the dreams I have.”
As a parent or carer for a child with asthma, you may feel anxious about them exercising or your child may feel anxious themselves. Asthma UK advise that physical activity will not make a child’s asthma worse. It could actually improve their quality of life and help them manage their asthma.
“It’s normal to breathe faster or more deeply during exercise. But if you have symptoms like coughing, wheezing or a tight chest, it’s likely that exercise and physical activity is a trigger for you. See your GP or nurse about exercising safely.”
Dr Andy Whittamore, Asthma + Lung UK’s GP.
If exercise does make a child’s asthma worse, this could be a sign that their asthma is not as well managed as it could be and you should ask your child’s GP surgery for a review of their asthma. Read more about how exercise can trigger asthma and how a child can exercise safely with asthma here.
There are other simple steps which can help children and young people manage their asthma.
make sure you child:
Many sports clubs and physical activity providers will have policies in place to improve the care of participants with asthma and ensure a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment. If your child is attending a club or activity, you can talk to the provider about the procedures they have in place to care for children and young people with asthma.
If a child or young person does become breathless, it is helpful for them to know techniques they can use to get their breath back. Watch the video below from Asthma + Lung UK with advice on recovering breathe.
For more videos and advice on keeping active with a lung condition visit Asthma + Lung UK’s Keeping Active with a Lung Condition webpages.
If you’re a physical activity provider take a look at the guidance and training on the Active Lincolnshire website to help you support children and young people with asthma.
Take a look at this video from Lincolnshire ICB.
Jenson’s asthma journey began very early in life. Much of his early childhood was spent in and out of hospital. Despite this difficult start, Jenson has never let his asthma hold him back. Through weekly swimming lessons, Jenson has flourished. He’s even achieved his 2000m distance badge – a huge milestone he’s very proud of. While it sometimes takes him a little longer than others, his steady determination keeps him going.Swimming has been really beneficial for Jenson, as Kelly his mum says:
“It’s such a great thing to keep them active and teach them to use their full lung capacity, pushing them to learn steady and controlled breathing techniques.”
Ellie is determined not to let her asthma stand in her way of being active and has learned to slow down if her asthma flares up.
Watch the video to find out how Ellie gets active.
