Asthma is one of the most common long-term conditions affecting children and young people in the UK - and as a coach, instructor, or physical activity provider, you play a vital role in helping them stay healthy, active, and confident.

Use the information on this page to help you better understand asthma, the benefits of physical activity, and practical steps you can take to keep children safe and supported during sport and exercise.

Understanding Asthma

Asthma is a long-term lung condition that causes occasional breathing difficulties. It happens when the breathing tubes (airways) become inflamed and sensitive, causing them to temporarily narrow.

• Asthma can affect anyone - it often starts in childhood, although it can also develop for the first time in adults.

• Nationally, 1 in 11 children in the UK have asthma.

• It is among the top 10 causes of emergency hospital admissions for children and young people.

• Outcomes are often worse for children living in the most deprived areas.

In Lincolnshire, asthma is the third biggest health burden for children and a priority for the Lincolnshire Children’s Integrated Transformation Board.

Physical Activity Matters

Asthma should not prevent children from leading active, healthy lives. In fact, being active can help to improve a child’s quality of life and help to keep their lungs healthy. Regular movement is good for a child’s lungs because it increases the strength of the muscles around their lungs and the rest of their body. As they build strength, their muscles will need less oxygen to work. This means that they will breathe better while moving.

As a coach, instructor, club or physical activity provider, you can make a significant difference in achieving this aim and help children and young people in your care by encouraging a healthy lifestyle through increased physical activity and by having the appropriate level of training to support children and young people with asthma.

Key Benefits of Exercise for Children with Asthma

• Boosts lung power -Raising the heart rate regularly boosts lung power, increasing stamina and reducing breathlessness

• Supports the immune system – Reduces susceptibility to colds and viruses, which are a major trigger for over 80% of people with asthma.
  
  
• Helps maintain a healthy weight – Lowering the risk of asthma attacks.
  
  
• Improves mental wellbeing – Exercise releases ‘feel-good’ chemicals in the brain, helping to manage stress, which can otherwise worsen asthma symptoms.

Whilst children and young people with asthma, along with their parents or carers, may feel anxious about exercising, Asthma UK advise that Physical activity will not make a child’s asthma worse. It could actually improve their quality of life and help them manage their asthma. 

If exercise does make a child’s asthma worse, this could be a sign that their asthma is not as well managed as it could be. Read more about how exercise can trigger asthma. 

Supporting Children with Asthma in Your Sessions

It is important to start the conversation about asthma care in your club to improve the care of club members with asthma.

You’ll also be encouraging a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment, enhancing participation and the well being of your young people, increasing confidence of your staff and volunteers and boosting your reputation in the community.

Start the Conversation

• Encourage open discussions about asthma within your club or group.
  

• Build positive relationships with parents, carers, and young people to better understand their needs.

Essential Checks for Coaches and Activity Providers

Use the checklist below to assess what stage you’re at with your asthma policy planning and decide what else you might need to put in place.

• A register of children and young people who have asthma

• An information record for each child or young person, with details about their asthma triggers and medication

• Knowledge about where each child or young person keeps their inhaler and how they can get it when they need it

• Asthma training for all adults with responsibility for children and young people who have asthma.

• A clear plan to follow in the event of a child or young person having an asthma attack.

• Procedure to keep families informed when a child uses their inhaler or experiences symptoms during activities.

• Details of other initiatives which might include smoke-free policies to decrease the risk of triggering asthma.

Once you’ve completed this planning, your next step may be to set up a regular review of your policies.

Take a look at the recommended free training below.