Sports are wonderful ways to keep a child active and can teach a lot in their formative years. For someone who suffers from exercise-induced asthma, options might be limited, but there are ways to overcome it. If you are looking to play it safe, here are the best sports for children with asthma to consider, but it’s crucial to obtain guidance from a physician before proceeding.
Swimming
At first glance, you might not think that swimming can be safe for your child because it is often rigorous; however, the swimming pool environment can be helpful. This is because the warm, moist environment can reduce exercise-induced bronchoconstriction and strengthen your child’s lungs. However, some patients are susceptible to chlorine and other other disinfectants, which can irritate lung tissue.
Golf
Golf is another great sport to enroll your child in if they have exercise-induced asthma. Golf is all about strategy and hand-eye coordination and less about running and other intense physical activity, which makes it perfect.
Track & Field
Your child having exercise-induced asthma doesn’t mean they can’t do any running; they just need to avoid doing it for long durations. There are a lot of short-distance races your child can run if they decide to do track. Also, there are plenty of field events like long jump that are equally safe.
Martial Arts
Martial arts are among the best sports for children with asthma to compete in because they aren’t as hard on the lungs. Martial arts are also great because they can help a child build strength, improve focus, and learn several breathing techniques that can be beneficial for someone with asthma.
Baseball or Softball
If you are looking for a team sport for your child to join, then you should consider baseball or softball. Like golf, baseball and softball utilize hand-eye coordination and, while they do involve running, it is only in short bursts.
Football
Depending on the position they play, football can be another option for your child, since it’s also a sport than involves short bursts of running. Have your child strive playing lineman if a lot of running in a game is a concern.
Always consider outdoor seasonal allergens that may aggravate asthma conditions, and be certain to get guidance from a physician.
