Exercise, Sports & Play with Asthma

Asthma is a long-term condition that affects the lungs and airways. It can affect both children and adults, and symptoms can be triggered by many things—including sports activity, exercise and active play. 

The information on this page can help you prevent exercise-induced asthma symptoms and asthma flare-ups so you can stay active and safe.

On this Page: Supporting a Young Athlete with Asthma Checklist for Athletes with Asthma Preventing Asthma Flare-Ups During Exercise Staying Active with Asthma at Any Age or Ability

 

Basics About Exercise Induced Asthma

What is exercise-induced asthma?

Exercise-induced asthma is when exercise and physical activity trigger asthma symptoms. People who experience it may need to take extra steps to keep their asthma well-controlled during exercise, sports and other strenuous activity.

What can trigger asthma symptoms?

Dust, smoke, extreme heat or cold, strong emotions, exercise, sports and active play can all trigger asthma symptoms.

How can exercise affect people with asthma?

Exercise can trigger symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, mucus or phlegm buildup, or breathing that feels harder than it should for the level of activity.

What is an exercise-induced asthma flare-up?

An exercise-induced asthma flare-up is when asthma symptoms suddenly become worse. This can the can result in activity limitation, reduce sports performance, or interrupt play.

See the Checklist for Athletes with Asthma below to remind you of key steps to take when you exercise.

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Exercise & Asthma: One Athlete's Story

Having asthma doesn't mean you have to give up the activities you love. Hear how one Vermont athlete learned to manage his asthma and stay active.

Watch Caleb's Story

Asthma Control Tips for Athletes

Keeping your asthma well controlled can make it easier to exercise, play and participate in sports. Here are some tips:

  • Have regular asthma visits with your healthcare provider (usually every six months).
  • Talk with your provider about your exercise, sports and competition goals.
  • Work with your provider to create an Asthma Action Plan that considers your exercise and sports activities.
  • Review and update your Asthma Action Plan at least once a year, or whenever your health changes.
  • Take your asthma medications as prescribed, especially your daily controller medication, even on good days when breathing is easy.
  • If you use a rescue inhaler, know how it differs from your daily controller medication and keep it with you when you exercise.
  • Check your inhaler’s metered-dose counter and order a refill before it expires or runs out.
  • Avoid exposure to tobacco smoke and vaping products. Breathing just a small amount of secondhand smoke can cause a severe asthma attack.
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Quit Smoking and Vaping to Perform Your Best

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Get Free Help Quitting

Supporting a Young Athlete with Asthma

Parents, relatives and friends can play an important role in helping young athletes manage asthma and stay active. 

You can support the young athlete in your life by:

  • Helping them schedule regular asthma check-ins with their health care provider.
  • Reminding them to follow and update their Asthma Action Plan.
  • Making sure they have the asthma medications and devices they need at home, at school and in their sports bag. 
  • Cheering them on as they work toward their sports goals.

Some kids may not always pay attention to asthma symptoms, especially signs that symptoms are getting worse. They may overestimate how well their asthma is controlled, leading them to skip important steps like keeping an inhaler with them at all times. Parents and loved ones can help by watching for symptoms and reinforcing healthy asthma-management habits.

Coaches, trainers and physical education teachers can help young athletes with asthma feel safe, supported and included while staying active.You can support the young athlete in your life by:

  • Getting trained on asthma basics.
  • Learning how to recognize worsening asthma and how to respond, including what to do in case of an emergency.
  • Being familiar with an athlete’s Asthma Action Plan and having it on hand if symptoms get worse.
  • Making sure rescue medication is easy to access during practices, games and PE.
  • Allowing breaks or changes in activity when an athlete is having asthma symptoms.

 

Checklist for Athletes with Asthma

Asthma doesn’t have to keep you from being active. Use this checklist to help prevent exercise-related symptoms and flare-ups before, during and after physical activity.

Save the checklist to your phone so you can use it during everyday exercise, practices or sports events.

Download the Checklist

Note: This checklist is a general guide and does not replace your personalized Asthma Action Plan or advice from your health care provider.

 

Preventing Asthma Flare-Ups During Exercise

These steps can help reduce the chance of asthma symptoms during exercise or sports:

  • Increase the intensity of workouts gradually, especially before competitions or other intense activity.
  • Build regular rest periods into playtime, workouts and training routines.
  • Pay attention to environmental triggers. Wildfire smoke, poor air quality and extreme heat or cold can make breathing harder and trigger asthma symptoms.
  • Cut back, change or reschedule your activity when conditions make it harder to breathe.

Visit the Asthma and Extreme Weather page for more tools and resources.

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Don’t Skip the Warm-Up

A gradual warm-up can help reduce exercise-related asthma symptoms.

  • Warm up gradually for 10–15 minutes before activity and cool down slowly afterward.    
  • Competitive athletes can talk with their health care provider or coach about the best warm-up routine for their sport and asthma.
  • Follow your Asthma Action Plan and use any pre-exercise medication as directed.

Staying Active with Asthma at Any Age or Ability

People with asthma of all ages and abilities can benefit from regular physical activity. If you are older, have a disability or manage a chronic condition, you may need to take extra steps to exercise safely and comfortably.

  • Talk with your health care provider about new symptoms. Asthma can develop later in life—this is called late-onset asthma. If you notice wheezing, coughing, chest tightness or shortness of breath, talk to your provider about whether asthma could be the cause.
  • Listen to your body. If asthma symptoms develop during an activity, stop and follow your Asthma Action Plan, including using your rescue inhaler as directed.
  • Pay special attention to your Asthma Action Plan and discuss any challenges or barriers to following it with your healthcare provider.
  • Choose activity that works for you. Adjust the type, pace or intensity of activity as needed so you can stay active while keeping your asthma under control. 

Additional Reading

The Asthmatic Advantage at the Olympics – Runner’s World
Learn how asthma affects athletes and what it can mean for training and performance.

Common Indoor Asthma Triggers
Learn about common indoor asthma triggers, including secondhand smoke.

Understanding the Air Quality Index (AQI)

Learn how to use the AQI to understand current air quality and plan outdoor activity.

Asthma and Exercise – American Lung Association

Find more tips for staying active and exercising with asthma.

Questions? Call the Vermont Department of Health/Environmental Health at 802-863-7220, extension 0, or contact [email protected].

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