Asthmatics: give yourselves a sporting chance

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 284, 25 April 1989, Page 16

Asthmatics: give yourselves a sporting chance

by

helen

pocknall

Do you know the causes of Asthma? Here they are: A - Allergy S - Smoking T - Temperature Changes H - Heredity M - Maladies (i.e. Influenza) A - Athletics (i.e. Exercise Induced Asthma)

Symptoms are not always a good guide to the severity of asthma. An asthma attack can develop slowly in the early stages, so that an impending attack is often not noticed soon enough. Accurate information for asthma control can be obtained by measuring peak flow rates regularly every day. This can be done at home. "Peak flow" meters are devices provided by doctors, which

measure the fastest speed at which air can be blown out of the lungs. If the speed is lower than normal an asthma attack may be developing. Fitness is the key note of 1989's Asthma Awareness week, April 23-30. This theme centres on Exercise Induced Asthma and the emphasis is being placed on how asthmatics can, with careful management of their condition, enjoy physical activity,

often to the same degree as non-asthmatics. Fitness Personal physical fitness should be the goal of all members of the community. It improves health and appearance, creates a feeling of well-being, and increases one's enjoyment of life. Asthmatics are no exception. Asthma may, however, interfere with sport or exercise in two ways: chronic asthma may limit an asthmatic's ability to play sport or to exercise; exercise may actually cause a mild attack of asthma, called exercise-induced asthma.

In addition over-pro-tective parents or teachers may discourage children from enjoying normal childhood activities. A few important points about exercise induced asthma are : • Asthma medication should be taken before exercise begins. It is desirable to repeat the dose if wheezing/distress occurs. • Asthmatics should be encouraged to join activities that are en-

joyable to them. • Fitness should be built up very gradually be alternating bursts of high activity with recovery periods of reduced activity. • Sustained activity, such as distance running may be difficult. Swimming and cycling are often much better tolerated. More social activities, such as tennis and tramping, are excellent ways of keeping fit as well as being highly enjoyable. • Performance of asthmatics vary considerably. They may be capable of normal activity on one occasion

and be quite limited on ' another (cold air, a cold or sore throat, or a recent asthma attack are particularly limiting). • A warm-up which includes several 30 second bursts of vigorous activity, followed by 60 seconds activity of a much reduced level seems to lessen exercise induced asthma. • Exercise should not be undertaken if the asthmatic is already short of breath or wheezy. • It can be dangerous for an asthmatic to continue exercise when breathing is distressed. • The emphasis

should be achieving average fitness rather than supreme fitness. Some with severe asthma will never achieve even an average standard. Exercise does not cure asthma, but asthmatics should be encouraged to undertake regular exercise which they find enjoyable. This is likely to lead to an improvement in their general health, increased enjoyment from life and make them more able to deal with attacks of asthma. "So asthmatics, give yourselves A Sporting Chance."