• Occurs during or shortly after exercise
• A condition varying from
  - mild cough, chest tightness
  - wheezing, to
  - severe breathing difficulties

HOW?

• Airways in the lungs become narrow due to spasm and
  swelling of the airways walls
• During exercise heat and water are lost from the airways and this change is thought to trigger
  Exercise Induced Asthma.

• Exercise
• Allergens (grass, lawn cuttings, pollen, cats or dogs etc.)
• Infections
• Cold air
• Stress
• Chemical irritants and some medications

• Well controlled asthma should allow you to exercise and play most sports (however asthmatics should not scuba dive)
• Many athletes with asthma compete at the highest level
• Good management of your asthma is essential to achieve your best performance
• Exercise safely and regularly to improve your fitness and lung function
• Activities where less Exercise Induced Asthma (EIA) occurs are:

  - Swimming
  - Walking
  - Cycling
  - Tennis
  - Soccer

RELIEVERS

use 5-10 mins prior to exercise and during exercise when necessary

Blue/grey puffers         (Asmol, Bricanyl, Respolin, Ventolin)

PREVENTERS

white (with blue cap)   (Intal)

white (with red cap)    (Intal forte)

yellow (with blue cap)  (Tilade)

cream / brown           (Becotide)

yellow                       (Becloforte)

brown / white             (Pulmicort)

• allergy triggers (eg: dust, pollens, grasses)
• exercising in cold air (eg: early morning or evening)
• vigorous exercise when you have a viral infection
• exercise if you are wheezy or have chest tightness

E.I.A. can be reduced or prevented by following a warm-up plan:

1. Use your blue, grey and/or white puffer 5-10 mins before exercise
2. Do a 2-3 minute jog to raise a light sweat
3. Stretch

• hold stretch for 10-20 secs, DO NOT BOUNCE
• stretch gently and slowly, keep breathing
• stretch to the point of tension NEVER PAIN

for a complete list of stretches refer to SPORTS MEDICINE AUSTRALIA’S
"Stretching Brochure" (Available from your local National Pharmacies)
*Entire stretching session should take 5-15 minutes*

4. Two different types of warm-up routines have been shown to be effective in reducing E.I.A.

either

five to seven 30 -second sprints, with 1/2 - 1 minute rest in between

[eg: running on the spot or 200 - 300m sprints]

or

a brisk walk/slow jog for 20-30 minutes

If you develop Exercise Induced Asthma

STOP, use your BLUE/GREY RELIEVER PUFFER

• use your puffer (as above)
• do not return to sport
• see your doctor

In cases of severe asthma follow the emergency plan on the back page

• To help remove muscle waste products
• To enable you to compete again at the same level within a short period of time

How?

• l Do a 2-3 minute light jog immediately after exercise, then 5-10 minutes of stretching

• a change in your pre exercise medication
• regular preventative medication in your overall asthma plan

• Check the drug policy of your National Sporting Organisation
• Consult a Sports Doctor for advice on which medication(s) you are permitted to use
• Or contact the Drugs in Sport Hotline 1800 020 506

 

Mild 
Short of breath, wheeze

Moderate 
Loud wheeze, breathing difficulty, able to speak in short sentences of
five words or less

Severe 
Distressed, gasping for breath, difficulty speaking two words

REPEAT THIS PATTERN 4 TIMES

If severe or not improving after 4 minutes, call for an ambulance (phone 000).

Continue to use BLUE/GREY RELIEVER PUFFER

(4 puffs every four minutes) until help arrives.

 

If improving after 4 minutes continue to monitor.

If necessary repeat BLUE/GREY RELIEVER PUFFER

(4 puffs every four minutes).

 

When FREE of wheeze, cough, chest tightness and any breathlessness, RETURN TO SPORT.

If symptoms RECUR, REPEAT emergency procedures above but DO NOT return to sport - see your doctor.