Should I exercise if I have exercise-induced asthma?

A diagnosis of exercise-induced asthma does not mean that a person should not exercise. In fact, physical activity is good for people with asthma as it helps improve airway function by strengthening the breathing muscles. The following are tips to keep your symptoms under control:

• Don't exercise on days when air pollution or pollen levels are high.
• Don't exercise outside in cold weather.
• Breathe through your nose, which warms the air before it gets to your lungs.
• Limit your activity when you have a cold.
• Have your inhaler on you at all times when exercising.

It is especially important for people with asthma to see their doctor before starting a new exercise program.Once your symptoms are under control with the use of proper medication, and you are ready to start a new program, it would be a good idea to tell your trainer or training partner of your condition and have a brief action plan ready in case you have an asthma attack while exercising.  Use a peak flow meter to accurately assess your breathing ability before, during and/or after your activity. 

Set your own pace when exercising.  Don't try to keep up other people.  You may have to modify the intensity level and/or increase rest periods between sets until your breathing normalizes.  Warming up and cooling down periods are very important.  Give yourself some extra time.  Allow your body to gradually ramp-up and later, gradually ramp-down from exercise.  Be patient. Regular exercise will help your asthma.

Yes, you should exercise if you have exercise induced asthma.  You should, however, seek the guidance and/or services of a clinical exercise physiologist who is prepared to design a fitness program with the objective of preventing an asthma attack.

In fact, there are specific exercise guidelines  set out by the American College of Exercise to follow, with the objective of assessing what exercise intensity upon which the participant experiences an attack of asthma upon exercising.

According to the ACSM, populations diagnosed with exercise induced asthma, generally experience exacerbations at intensities of 75% of greater of their predicted maximum heart rates.

Hence, if one exercises at a lower intensity they can realistically avoid an exacerbation.  The participant, however, should learn to self-monitor their own exercise intensity in order to prevent an asthma attack induced throughe exercise.