Community Pediatric Asthma Service

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Asthma, Exercise & Sports

An active, healthy lifestyle is important for everyone, especially for someone with asthma. The key to exercising is to know what well-controlled asthma is for you, while avoiding your triggers and taking your medicine as needed.

Asthma should not stop you from doing what YOU want to do.  Remember, even professional athletes and Olympic athletes have asthma. 


Asthma, Exercise and Sports, No Excuses!

For some people, physical activity is a trigger for their asthma, so it is important to learn how to manage your asthma symptoms while still being active. You may want to consider:  the type of sport or activity and how it affects you;  adding in a good warm-up and cool-down routine; being aware of the weather and to know that sometimes you may also need medicine.

Being active is important

Playing, running, swimming, skating, kicking a ball or just ‘hanging out' with friends is not only an important part of childhood, it is important for good, overall health.

Physical activity should be fun!

Children with asthma are more likely to be active if they enjoy the activity.

Asthma and Exercise (Asthma Canada)

Asthma is no excuse!

Improved fitness levels are linked to lowering the severity of asthma symptoms. With few exceptions, children with well-controlled asthma can do all the things their friends do. 

Make fitness a family activity

Good health and fitness habits developed in childhood are associated with physical fitness as an adult. You can easily make physical activity a family event whether it is biking, shooting hoops or just out for a walk.


Resources for Coaches

Coaches play an important role in the care of our child's health. With the goal of keeping coaches informed about asthma, here are some helpful links:

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Walk | Run | Play | Breathe
Material on this website has been designed for information purposes only. It should not be used in place of medical advice, instruction and/or treatment.
If you have specific questions, please consult your doctor or appropriate health care professional.