Children with asthma can benefit greatly from exercise. There are physical and emotional benefits that children can get from consistent exercise, but there are some things to be careful of. Even though exercise may be dangerous at times, it is important to do.
Physical Benefits
Exercise can offer many physical benefits for children with asthma. Exercise increases the strength and efficiency of the cardiovascular system: the heart and lungs. It also helps reduce children's sensitivity to allergens, a main concern for asthma sufferers. Blood circulation is increased and new blood vessels are created in the heart and muscles. People who exercise sleep better, are injured less and have lower blood pressure. Exercise results in strong bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Exercise can also lower a child's risk of developing other diseases such as diabetes and certain types of cancer and can assist in weight management.
Emotional Benefits
Exercise can increase a child's self-esteem, confidence and attitude. It also reduces stress and anxiety, two things that can have an adverse effect on asthma.
Expert Insight
The Johns Hopkins Children's Center did a study that concluded that the belief that exercise can put asthmatic children at risk may be the reason that 20 percent of children suffering from asthma do not exercise enough. Even though exercise has been proven to benefit children suffering from asthma, many parents are still afraid. There are some instances where children should not exercise (see the Warnings section below) but otherwise daily exercise is recommended.
Exercise-Induced Asthma
Take precautions if you are affected by exercise-induced asthma. An appropriate three- to five-minute warm-up period should be done before exercise. A low-impact aerobic exercise like walking is good for warming up. Just as warming up before exercise is advised, so is cooling down afterward. A 10-minute cool down comprising stretches and gentle exercise like walking in place is ideal.
Warning
Even mild wheezing can turn into an asthma attack with exercise. It is best to wait until a child is not experiencing problems breathing before beginning to exercise. Also, exercising in cold temperature can be dangerous if one stops exercising abruptly without cooling down.
Tags: Benefits Exercise, before exercise, children suffering, children suffering from, cooling down