Anyone who is active outdoors - whether through sport, work or recreation – is more susceptible to the health impacts of air pollution. These individuals will breathe greater volume of air than a person at rest.  As physical activity becomes more intense, air is inhaled more deeply, carrying pollutants deeper into lung tissue.  These pollutants also pass into the blood and end up in other organs and are associated with causing organ failure such as a heart attack.

Getting Active with Asthma and Allergies

Having asthma or allergies does not mean you can’t participate in sports!

In fact, if your asthma is properly controlled you can participate in any type of physical activity you want!  The same goes for allergies – it’s all about learning how to manage them effectively.

It is also proven that exercise can improve your asthma and overall health by strengthening your chest and upper body muscles, strengthening your cardiovascular system, boosting your immune system and helping you keep a healthy body weight.  A healthy diet and adequate sleep are key factors in managing both asthma and allergy.

Choosing when to exercise can be very important to your respiratory health.

There are times of the day and locations known to have better air quality than others. Follow your Asthma Action Plan and check the AQHI regularly before participating in strenuous outdoor activity. 

Individuals with respiratory allergies will want to exercise at times of day and locations where both pollen and air pollution levels are lower.

Asthma is the #1 medical condition among athletes at the Olympic level?

Athletes with Asthma and/or Allergies

Because asthma and allergies can worsen over time if left untreated it is crucial that athletes with known or suspected asthma and/or allergies be diagnosed by a medical expert. It's essential that they follow their doctor’s treatment plans as consistently as possible.

Read what Clean Air Champion, Olympic Triathlete and asthma sufferer, Sharon Donnelly has to say about protecting her health:

As an athlete, coach and a mom I follow the following guidelines to manage my training and protect my health, and the health of my family:

• I consult my doctor who specializes in asthma to discuss medication options, how to handle respiratory distress, triggers to avoid, and how to monitor my responses closely

• I educate myself about my disease and I consult the Air Quality Health Index to plan my outdoor training

• Physical fitness is crucial to respiratory health – the fitter I am, the more my body is able to respond to environmental stressors

• I try to do my part to decrease fossil fuel consumption and incorporate sustainable living into my family, club life and work environment.