Asthma and a school physical activity management plan

Asthma and a school physical activity management plan

Approximately one in 15 students now suffers from asthma, which has increased significantly compared to 20 years ago. However, with good treatment and recognition of their triggers, students with asthma can continue to be physically active in school.

Asthma is a disease in which the bronchioles and alveoli (air sacs) in the lungs narrow and air can no longer be released. The asthmatic can breathe in air but cannot breathe out sufficiently. The lungs become over-inflated with air that no longer has oxygen to deliver to the body.

Asthma and physical activity go hand in hand with proper planning and treatment.

Although asthma can limit physical activity, it does not have to contradict physical activity. Physical fitness is an important goal for all students. Physical fitness increases the student's likelihood of maintaining fitness as they grow into adulthood and reduces the likelihood of becoming overweight adults, which negatively impacts a person's response to asthma.

A partnership between students, teachers, parents, coaches, physicians and physical education instructors to treat and control asthma increases students' chances of staying active. Part of this partnership is the asthma management plan. This plan identifies the triggers or factors that worsen a student's asthma or cause an episode.

Asthmatics should avoid and control activating triggers.

Some common triggers that are factors in an asthma episode include exercise, mold, allergies, upper respiratory tract infections, irritants, cigarette smoke, cleaning solutions, perfumes and paints. Some of these triggers can be avoided, while others may be limited. In both cases, they should be included in the management plan for every child with asthma.

Another part of the management plan includes access to medication to treat asthma attacks. Children with asthma need access to rescue medication during their attacks. Using a management plan increases the likelihood that the student will remain active during the school year and develop good fitness traits to carry them through life.

School physical activity should be tailored to the student's current pulmonary status.

Their status can be assessed with a Peak Flow Meter. The aim is to involve students in the activities even if they cannot do the physical activities. Students can be timekeepers, scorekeepers or equipment managers until their health improves.

Students with asthma are more successful in staying physically active when an asthma action plan is used. The management plan should include the student's medical history, their individual symptoms, contact with parents and healthcare providers, normal peak flow numbers, triggers, medications, and parent/guardian and student signatures. The plan should include student participation during development because with student participation they are more likely to follow the plan.

The final part of the management plan should be full access to rescue medications. Students should be able to access, administer, and determine when they need their medications. Teachers and coaches should know not only the student's triggers, but also the symptoms that require immediate action, such as coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, or low peaks.

If symptoms of asthma occur during or after physical activity at school, the student should stop the activity, use their inhaler, and be taken for emergency care if they do not improve. Staying physically active in school is an important element of improving physical fitness so students can continue their fitness growth.

Inspired by J Russell Hart