Asthma and sport

Abstract

Parents of children with asthma are often worried when their children participate in sport. Many sportspeople who are asthmatic do well at a competitive level. Most people with exercise-induced asthma (EIA) have persistent asthma which is not well controlled. There are however a few people who have exerciseinduced bronchoconstriction as the only presenting sign. It is important to identify children with exercise- induced asthma by using spirometry and exercise challenge tests. This will help to differentiate between children with EIA and those who lack interest in sport or who are physically unfit. Once the diagnosis is made, one should strive to treat these patients so that they attain normal levels of activity. These patients and their parents should be made to appreciate that asthma, if well controlled, does not preclude them from taking part in sport. Control is attained by non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment. It is also necessary for patients and their doctors to have a thorough knowledge of drugs that can be used in sport without transgression of antidoping rules. Sportsmen and -women requiring prohibited prescribed medications can apply for therapeutic use exemption of these drugs.