Asthma should not prevent a person from getting proper exercise. The benefits of regular physical activity generally outweigh the risks associated with exercise-induced asthma (EIA) so long as the exercise is planned according to a physician’s strict guidelines.

All asthmatics should have an asthma action plan to provide the necessary guidelines in case of an asthma attack. When the patient is a child, copies of the plan should be provided to the child's physical education teacher and coaches.

Many world-class athletes compete despite having EIA. In addition, a physically fit individual has increased resistance to asthma attacks. To keep EIA under control, a physician may recommend the following steps:

• Use an inhaled beta-agonist medication 15 to 30 minutes before beginning physical activity (if advised to do so by a physician). Always carry this medication during exercise to treat a flare-up.
  
  
• Plan a long warm-up period before and cool-down period after exercise. Between 30 to 60 minutes is ideal, but follow your physician's recommendations.
  
  
• Choose appropriate forms of exercise. Asthmatics with well-controlled conditions can enjoy almost any sport. However, some are particularly recommended. For example, swimming is ideal for those susceptible to EIA because breathing the warm, humid air from a body of water keeps the airways from cooling and drying.
  
  Sports that combine short bursts of activity with periods of rest – such as baseball, tennis, volleyball and sprinting – are better than outdoor endurance sports such as soccer, basketball, ice hockey, cross-country skiing and long-distance running.
  
  
• Breathe through the nose while exercising. This warms and humidifies the air before it is inhaled.
  
  
• When inhaling through the mouth, pucker or purse the lips, as during whistling or when blowing out a candle. Keeping the lips pursed warms and humidifies the air before it reaches the airways.
  
  
• Wear a mask or scarf over your face. This warms cold air before it is inhaled.
  
  
• Avoid training where the air is polluted, such as heavy traffic areas.
  
  
• Avoid training in dry or cool weather whenever possible. Cold-weather sports such as hockey, cross-country skiing and ice skating also may trigger symptoms.
  
  
• Avoid training where pollens are high, such as in forests or grass fields.
  
  
• Drink plenty of fluids.
  
  
• Choose short-duration interval training activities. This consists of repeated cycles of several minutes of training, followed by several minutes of rest. Running for longer than six consecutive minutes is known to trigger asthma attacks in some people.
  
  
• Refrain from exercising with a cold, the flu, bronchitis or any other respiratory tract infection.
  
  
• Stop exercising if symptoms arise and do not return to the activity until the symptoms subside.