Asthma and Physical Activity

Exercise and physical activity are important for good health. This is true even when you have asthma. Exercise keeps your heart and lungs healthy. Exercise improves lung capacity and blood flow to your lungs.

There are ways that exercise may cause problems when you have asthma. They include:

• Faster breathing. Exercise can make you breathe faster. This may cause asthma symptoms. Or it may cause an asthma attack.

• Poor air quality. This can also set off asthma symptoms. Ozone, air pollution, and particles in the air can all set off asthma symptoms in some people. Keep this in mind before you take part in outdoor sports or exercise.

• Pollen and allergies. People with asthma who also have allergies may have more trouble when they exercise outdoors at certain times of the year.

• Cold or dry air. Some people with asthma may have worse symptoms when they exercise in cold weather or dry air.

• Intense sports. You may have asthma symptoms with sports that are intense or last a long time. These include sports, such as basketball and soccer, and other activities with long periods of running.

Here are some tips to manage exercising with asthma:

• Before you start any exercise program or sport, talk with your doctor. They may recommend that you take medicine before you exercise.

• Work with your doctor to make an Asthma Action Plan. This explains exactly what to do if asthma symptoms get worse. Share this information with family members and friends. Consider keeping a copy with you or adding it to your electronic devices.

• Try activities that are done in warmer temperatures or that only use short bursts of energy. These include swimming, walking, hiking, baseball, and golf.

• Wear a scarf or mask over your mouth when you exercise in cold weather.

• Always warm up and cool down.

• Keep your quick-relief inhaler with you when you exercise.

• Wear medical identification at all times. This can be a bracelet, necklace, or similar alert tag. This will help responders provide the right care.