The training done by a boxer, gymnast or ballet dancer develops these, as well as flexibility, strength and concentration.



Boxing may seem an odd choice of activity for an asthmatic. However, consider the boxer's loud expulsion of air when throwing a punch. This expulsion of air is made during an extreme effort, similar to that of a tennis player serving a ball, or a footballer kicking the ball, an athlete leaving the blocks or a squash player making a shot.

You will hear competitors in many sports make this often loud and obvious expulsion of air. It helps them relax immediately after the point of maximum impact.

The quick expulsion of air may not be exactly the same as the slower expulsion in the rythmic breathing pattern, but I believe that someone with asthma should choose a sport that involves breathing out at the time of maximum impact, or when intense effort is involved. However, sports that require longer and slower breathing out are even better.

Which sports are more suitable?

Football, basketball, cricket, gymnastics, netball, volleyball and ballet are suitable for asthmatics as they require short, quick bursts of effort.

In contrast long distance running, where sustained effort is needed over a considerable period, is an example of a sport that stresses asthmatics and aggravates their condition.

Likewise, scuba diving, skydiving and bungee jumping are not sports I would recommend to someone with asthma.

No matter what sport is the final choice - be it table tennis, badminton, softball, horse riding or whatever . . . they all need agility, concentration, flexibility and strength.

Regular exercise will start you on the stairway to better health, and will help your body reach its full potential and keep it there. Exercise should be dynamic, varied, accessible and without adverse side effects and don't forget the ail-important factor of choosing one you really enjoy. If you disregard this you won't keep the sport up

Whatever the activity, always keep your limitations in mind and conscientiously follow the breathing and relaxation techniques that you know.

Even though you may roughly know what are those suitable sports that are for asthmatics, but all these information will be of no use if no action is being taken.

Having the knowledge is not power, applying the knowledge is true power to free yourself the agony of having asthma again. You should never add to, or alter any component of your current asthma treatment without first consulting your physician.

However, many asthmatics that I know sometimes tend to take playing a sport for granted and they should be be conscious and aware that in order to have an asthma-free lifestyle, a proper and yet effective asthma recovery system is necessary. Even without a proper asthma management system, there will not be much asthma free lifestyle to hope for.

Applying the knowledge of what type of suitable are for asthmatics together with an effective asthma management system even your little one can use to enjoy asthma-free life once again.