Exercise-Induced Asthma

Exercise-induced asthma, or sports-induced asthma, happens when airways constrict during physical activity. This causes coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. These symptoms appear during or after exercise and may come back after rest. With medications and good exercise choices you can manage exercise-induced asthma and stay active.

Overview

What is exercise-induced asthma?

Exercise-induced asthma, or exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), happens when airways get smaller during exercise. Asthma triggered by sports or exercising can make it hard for you to breathe. You may have asthma symptoms like coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath during or after physical activity.

Asthma symptoms appear when the airways constrict (become narrower) during exercise. Symptoms are worse when the air is cold and dry, or when pollution levels and pollen counts are high.

People with exercise-induced asthma should warm up before exercising. Inhalers and other medications can prevent an EIB episode and open the airways.

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Is exercise-induced asthma common?

Yes. Exercise-induced asthma, sometimes called exercise-induced bronchospasm or sports-induced asthma, is common. About 90% of people with asthma have symptoms of asthma during or after exercise. But people who don’t have asthma can get EIB too. Around 10% of people without asthma have exercise-induced asthma.

Anyone can get exercise-induced asthma, including children and adults. People with asthma and allergies are more likely to have the condition. Sports-induced asthma is more common among elite athletes, including Olympic athletes and professional football, soccer and hockey players.

Symptoms and Causes

What are the symptoms of exercise-induced asthma?

Symptoms can range from mild to severe. They can appear a few minutes after you start exercising or after you finish a workout. Symptoms usually start to improve after about 30 minutes of rest.

Sometimes, exercise-induced asthma can return up to 12 hours after you’ve finished exercising. They can appear even when you’re at rest. These are called “late-phase” symptoms. It may take up to a day for late-phase symptoms to go away.

Symptoms of asthma triggered by exercising include:

  • Coughing after running or exercising. (Coughing is the only symptom for some people.)
  • Wheezing.
  • Difficulty breathing (shortness of breath). You may feel like it’s hard to push air out of your lungs.
  • Tight feeling in the chest.
  • Severe fatigue.
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What causes exercise-induced asthma?

Rigorous physical activity and cold, dry air can trigger exercise-induced asthma. When you’re resting, you usually breathe through your nose. Your nose warms and moisturizes the air you breathe as it travels through your nostrils.

When you exercise, you breathe in through your mouth more often, and the air coming in remains cold and dry. If you have asthma, the bands of muscle around your airways react to the cold, dry air by constricting (becoming narrow).

Exercise-induced asthma is worse when:

  • Air is cold and dry.
  • Pollen counts are high.
  • Pollution levels are high, causing poor air quality.
  • You’re recovering from a cold or respiratory illness.
  • You’ve breathed in smoke, chemicals or fumes from paint or cleaning supplies.

What sports commonly cause asthma symptoms?

If you have sports-induced asthma, you may want to choose certain activities over others. Endurance sports and activities that take place in colder temperatures are more likely to trigger symptoms. That’s because cold, dry air can constrict the airways and trigger symptoms of asthma.

Sports that are most likely to trigger symptoms of asthma:

  • Require constant physical exertion: Long-distance running, soccer, basketball and other endurance sports require you to breathe heavily and constantly with little rest.
  • Take place in colder weather: Skiing, ice hockey, ice skating and snowboarding commonly cause symptoms due to colder air temperatures.
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Which activities are less likely to cause sports-induced asthma symptoms?

Indoor sports and those with short bursts of activity are less likely to trigger an asthma episode. But any activity can cause symptoms. Be sure to talk to your provider before starting any exercise program.

To avoid symptoms, you may want participate in sports or exercises that are best for asthma including:

  • Activities with short bursts of energy: Asthma symptoms appear less often during sports that involve quick, short sprints with periods of rest. These sports include volleyball and baseball.
  • Less-rigorous activities: Golf, biking and walking are often good choices for people with asthma.
  • Indoor sports: Some indoor activities (like gymnastics) are less likely to trigger sports-induced asthma symptoms.
  • Warm or humid environment: Swimming, diving and water polo have a lower risk of triggering sports-induced asthma symptoms. Moist pool air makes an EIB episode less likely. But some people find chlorine in a pool to be irritating. A saltwater pool can be a better choice, if you have one available.

Diagnosis and Tests

How do healthcare providers diagnose exercise-induced asthma?

Your provider will ask about your symptoms, including when you have them and how long they last. After listening to your lungs, your provider will ask you to perform an activity that usually triggers your symptoms (such as running outside). Then your provider will measure your lung function with a spirometry test.

During spirometry, you exhale as much air as you can as fast as possible. You breathe into a tube attached to a machine called a spirometer. The machine measures how well your lungs work after exercise.

Management and Treatment

How do I manage exercise-induced asthma?

There is no cure for asthma triggered by exercising or sports. Treatment focuses on preventing and relieving symptoms.

To avoid an episode, you should warm up for at least six minutes before starting exercise. Ask your provider to recommend the best warmup routine for your age and fitness level.

Your provider may recommend one medication or a combination of several medications. Some drugs open your airways while you’re experiencing exercise-induced asthma. Other medications prevent an episode. These medications include:

  • Short-acting beta-agonist (SABA): These medications can relieve symptoms during an EIB episode. SABAs are a type of bronchodilator. They’re sometimes called rescue inhalers because you inhale (breathe in) the medicine, and it goes directly into your airways. SABAs can also prevent asthma symptoms if you take the medication about 15 minutes before exercise.
  • Long-acting beta-agonist (LABA): Like SABA drugs, these medications let air flow by relaxing muscles in the airways. LABAs can prevent an EIB episode if you inhale the medication about 30 minutes to an hour before you exercise. But they aren’t effective as rescue inhalers. They won’t reverse symptoms once they’ve started.
  • Inhaled corticosteroids: These drugs reduce swelling in the airways to increase airflow.
  • Leukotriene modifiers: You take this medication by mouth to prevent the airways from becoming inflamed. Talk to your provider about the side effects of these drugs. Some people experience behavior changes and mood swings.
  • Mast cell stabilizers: Taking this medication about 15 minutes before exercise can prevent symptoms. You inhale this medication through a nebulizer, a machine that turns liquid medicine into tiny droplets that you breathe in.

Prevention

Can I prevent exercise-induced asthma?

With planning and preparation, you may be able to avoid an asthma episode. Before physical activity, you should:

  • Allow yourself time to warm up: Before starting any physical activity or exercise, warm up for six to 10 minutes. Warmup routines vary depending on your age, health and sport or activity. Talk to your provider about the right one for you.
  • Check pollen and air quality: Before going outside to exercise, check the air quality index. If pollution and pollen levels are high, you may want to stay indoors.
  • Cover your mouth and nose: Use a mask, scarf or gaiter to protect your airways from cold, dry air.
  • Manage asthma symptoms: If you have asthma, work with your provider to get symptoms under control before you start an exercise program. Follow your provider’s instructions when using inhalers and taking asthma medications.
  • Tell coaches and teachers: If your child has asthma, make sure teachers and coaches are aware. Adults should know what symptoms to watch for, what to do if symptoms appear and how to help with medications.
  • Watch for symptoms: Monitor yourself (or your child) for symptoms of sports-induced asthma. Have a plan in place if you notice signs of an EIB episode. Remember that symptoms can appear minutes (or even hours) after you finish exercising.

Outlook / Prognosis

What is the outlook for people with EIB?

Many people with exercise or sports-induced asthma manage the condition and live active, healthy lifestyles. With proper planning and care, you can exercise and enjoy a variety of sports and activities.

Living With

When should I see my healthcare provider about EIB?

If you or your child has symptoms of exercise or sports-induced asthma, call your provider. Several conditions have symptoms that are similar to EIB. It’s essential to get evaluated.

If you or your child has severe shortness of breath or trouble breathing, seek immediate medical attention. Call 911 or go directly to the emergency room.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Many people with exercise-induced asthma play sports, enjoy a range of activities and live an active lifestyle. People of all fitness levels, including Olympic athletes and marathon runners, manage asthma and excel at their sports. If you or your child has EIB, be sure to include a warmup routine before exercise. Keep an eye on pollen counts and air quality before you head outside. Talk to your provider about medications that can help you breathe easier. With lifestyle changes and prior planning, you can stay active and exercise safely.

Medically Reviewed

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 03/17/2021.

Learn more about our editorial process.

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