Having children who have asthma and who also love sports can be exciting but also worrisome! Constantly worrying if doing what they love will trigger an attack can be all-consuming. Protecting your children should always be your priority, so finding the right balance between protection and encouragement is necessary.

Our goal is to support your children safely through whatever they choose to do! Our staff at AFC Urgent Care Clemson treats children who have asthma often, and we provide some guidance on how to support your child below.

Are Sports Even Safe for My Child With Asthma?

Typically, yes. As long as his or her asthma is under control and can be managed by medication, you can encourage sports or other activities.

In fact, physical activity is good for children with asthma. Athletics and sports can support a healthy weight, body confidence and social skills, so encouraging that whenever possible is important for development. If you want to suggest a lower-intensity sport to start with, we’ve listed some great options below.

Lower-Intensity Sports

• Golf
• Baseball
• Biking
• Short-distance track and field events

Are There Any Sports to Avoid If You Have Asthma?

There are some sports that can be more difficult to manage with an asthma diagnosis. Any endurance sports like soccer or cross country can be hard to handle due to their minimal rest time. When it gets colder, any outdoor sports can become more difficult as well because the air gets thinner.

However, that doesn’t mean that your child is not allowed to play these sports. With a little preparation through proper training, easily accessible medication and the support of family, your children should be able to enjoy whatever sports they are passionate about.

Asthma Tips

• Breathe through a scarf when it is cold outside.
• Carry a current inhaler prescription.
• Avoid the outdoors during any high pollen count days.
• Warm up and cool down appropriately.

If you think your child’s asthma is getting worse or you need help managing it, come see us at AFC Urgent Care Clemson!