Accessibility
PrintAsthma and Airway Centre
The Asthma Education Handbook
Preventing Exercise-induced Asthma
Exercise is a trigger for many asthmatics and may produce symptoms such as cough, wheezing or tightness in the chest. However, exercise should not be avoided. Exercise-induced asthma can be prevented.
If asthma is otherwise not troublesome or is well-controlled with maintenance medication and pulmonary function is normal before exercise, the airway obstruction triggered by exercise is easily prevented with an inhaled bronchodilator. At least two inhalations of one of the beta2-agonist used with proper technique, should effectively block this asthmatic airway response to exercise for at least two hours. Cromoglycate or Nedocromil sodium may also be used either alone or in combination with a beta2-agonist for prevention of exercise-induced asthma.
With preventive use of an inhaled bronchodilator, asthmatics can take part in all physical activity, including competitive athletics, without limitations brought on by asthma. In fact, if a patient is physically fit, they are less likely to be bothered by asthma brought on by exercise.
Enjoy your Exercise
Physical fitness is influenced by age, environment, lifestyle and by the amount and type of physical activity you do. Improving your physical fitness through regular exercise has many benefits, such as weight loss and stress reduction. Also you feel better about yourself and have more energy.
Important points to keep in mind when you begin an exercise program:
INDIVIDUALITY: Everyone is different. Listen to your body and make your own rules based on the following suggestions.
MODERATION: Don't work too hard, especially at the beginning. Working hard might feel good at the time but may lead to aches and pains and even injury.
FREQUENCY: Try to exercise at least 3-4 times per week.
INTENSITY: In order to improve your physical fitness, the exercise you perform should be strenuous enough to increase your heart rate and your breathing, but exercise which is too strenuous should also be avoided. A simple test to determine if the exercise is too strenuous is called the "talk test." If you are not able to carry on a conversation while exercising, then the exercise is too strenuous!
TIME: At the beginning of your program, try to exercise for an amount of time you feel comfortable with depending on your prior level of fitness. Try to increase the exercise time by 2 minutes each week until you can do 20-30 minutes continuously.
WARM-UP: Before you exercise, warm-up for 3-5 minutes in order to get your body ready for exercise. A proper warm-up can prevent injury. A warm-up might include stretches or easy walking or cycling.
COOL-DOWN: After you exercise you should cool-down for 3-5 minutes to gradually bring your body back to its pre-exercise level and that decreases the chances of you feeling "stiff" the next day. The activities used for a cool-down could be similar to those listed as warm-up activities.
TYPE: Daily activities around the house do not provide enough exercise. The activities you choose should be "aerobic" exercises, such as walking, jogging, rowing, swimming, cycling, stair climbing or aerobics classes. Choosing a variety of different activities can be more challenging and prevent boredom.
ENVIRONMENT: Exercise indoors when it is cold or damp and when the air pollution counts are high if these factors bother you.
BREATHING: If exercise brings on shortness of breath which is not relieved by working less strenuously, use an inhaled bronchodilator 10-15 minutes before you start. Your physician can help you to fine-tune the use of your asthma medications so asthma is not a limitation to your exercise performance.
