Asthma is the inflammation of the airways in the lungs. Children who have asthma may experience breathing difficulties and a tightening in their chest -- as well as coughing and wheezing during an asthma attack. Controlling your child's asthma may mean using medications on a daily basis, along with other medications when an attack is imminent. Protecting your child from asthma triggers is a natural response. Allowing him to remain a child and participate in the physical activities children like to engage in can help him feel part of the group. KidsHealth says there's no reason a child with asthma can't exercise within his abilities.
Exercises for Children With Chronic Asthma
Children who have chronic asthma -- breathing difficulties are always present to some extent and are exacerbated by dust, pet hair, pollen and other environmental factors -- may have an easier time participating in exercise that moves at a slow, leisurely and even pace. KidsHealth says that swimming, biking at an unhurried pace and walking may be the best exercise choices for kids who have asthma. Sports and exercises that require long periods of endurance such as skiing, distance running and soccer, jumping rope or even running around the playground, can be more challenging for children who have chronic breathing problems.
Activities for Children With Exercise-Induced Asthma
Exercise-induced asthma is a situation in which the exercise itself triggers an asthma attack. Some children who have chronic asthma experience a peak in symptoms when they exercise, and some kids do not show signs of asthma at any other time except when they are participating in physical activities. Usually wheezing, coughing and a shortness of breath occurs within the first 10 minutes of the exercise. KidsHealth suggests exercises that do not require long-term endurance, and those that have plenty of downtime such as baseball, hiking, jogging, swimming and golf.
Management
Children with asthma can often participate in any type of physical activity they want as long as their disease is managed appropriately. The United States Environmental Protection Agency explains that an action plan is a guide that details what the child is doing to manage his disease through medications -- avoiding triggers and modifications that may be necessary in school or sports. If your child has asthma and participates in regular exercise, it's important that her coach understands her condition and allows for modifications as needed -- such as frequent breaks if she feels an asthma attack approaching.
