Should a Child with Asthma Play Sports?

Your child suffers from asthma but really wants to play football this fall, should they? The answer is yes! Not only can a child with asthma play sports, but they should! Being active and playing sports is a good outlet for all children, particularly those with asthma. Roughly 7 million children in the U.S. under the age of 18 have been diagnosed with asthma, and exercise has been shown to help strengthen their lungs, increase lung capacity and speed recovery after an asthma attack.

Naturally, as a parent, you are concerned with the idea of letting your child with asthma play sports. Running around leads to shortness of breath and can lead to an asthma attack. Learning to manage your child’s asthma and helping them to help themselves will allow them to be involved in the sports they love – building not only physical strength, but also to develop stronger lungs. That’s a win, win!

Some sports are less likely to bother a young person’s asthma. Golf and yoga are less likely to trigger flare-ups, and so are sports like baseball, football, and gymnastics. However, that’s not to say that a young person with asthma can’t play soccer, basketball or ice hockey. In fact, many athletes with asthma have found that with the right training and medicine, they can do any sport they choose.

What’s most important before playing any sport is that your child has their asthma under control – meaning few symptoms and flare-ups. Meet with your child’s asthma specialist in Somerset County, NJ to talk about restrictions, symptoms and to be sure they are taking the proper medicine.