700 Children's® – A Blog by Pediatric Experts

Managing Exercise Induced Asthma in Athletes

Apr 25, 2025
image of kids stretching in gym class

There is often confusion amongst parents and coaches as to whether shortness-of-breath during exercise is a result of asthma or simply being out-of-shape. While shortness-of-breath might be caused by many different factors, it’s important to know if your child may be suffering from exercise-induced-bronchospasm, or as it is more commonly known, exercise-induced-asthma. 

At its most basic definition, asthma is caused by inflammation and narrowing in your air passages, decreasing the amount of oxygen sent to your lungs. This is brought about by “triggers” - commonly allergens, such as dust, pollens, pet dander or smoke. Common symptoms include shortness of breath, wheezing, chest-tightness, coughing and fatigue.

As the name suggests, exercise-induced-asthma (EIA) is a form of asthma, typically with triggers more specifically caused by exercise. Many people with asthma also experience symptoms during exercise, though some people only experience symptoms with increased physical activity. 

Exercise-Induced Asthma

When we breath, air is commonly moistened and heated in our nasal passages. Often, during physical exertion, athletes will breathe more through their mouths rather than their noses, so the air they inhale is colder and dryer. For some people, this irritates and narrows the airways, leading to asthma symptoms. 

To diagnose exercise-induced asthma, a doctor will conduct a thorough medical history and physical exam and typically measure lung function before, during and after exercise.  

Is It Safe to Participate?

Whether your child wants to participate in gym class, or your older athlete is participating in high school or collegiate athletics, it is absolutely safe to participate with exercise-induced asthma if you have consulted with a physician and have a treatment plan in place. These often include:

  • Acute relief medicine: commonly a short-acting bronchodilator such as an albuterol inhaler taken 15-20 minutes prior to activity. It is very important to use the medicine correctly, ideally with a spacer or holding chamber.
  • Preventative measures, such as a proper warm-up and/or using a scarf to cover your mouth in cold/dry conditions.
  • Good communication with your physician, athletic trainer, teachers and/or school nurse regarding your athlete’s needs.
  • Educating your child about monitoring his or her symptoms and what to do during a flare-up.

With proper diagnosis and management plans in place, exercise-induced asthma should not keep your child from participation!

If your child is in immediate respiratory distress and having trouble breathing, seek emergency care at the nearest hospital emergency room. If you are uncertain about this condition, please contact your primary care provider to determine the best treatment plan.

Sports Medicine at Nationwide Children's Hospital
For more information about scheduling an appointment, click here.

Featured Expert

Nationwide Children's Hospital Medical Professional
Eric Leighton, AT, ATC
Sports Medicine

Eric Leighton is the lead athletic trainer for Functional Rehab at Nationwide Children's Hospital Sports Medicine. He is also the lead of the Performing Arts Medicine section within Sports Medicine. Eric has treating patients for over 20 years with a focus on performing arts athletes and dancers.

All Topics

Browse by Author

About this Blog

Pediatric News You Can Use From America’s Largest Pediatric Hospital and Research Center

700 Children’s® features the most current pediatric health care information and research from our pediatric experts – physicians and specialists who have seen it all. Many of them are parents and bring a special understanding to what our patients and families experience. If you have a child – or care for a child – 700 Children’s was created especially for you.