EXERCISE & ASTHMA

Contacts/Resources ● The National Asthma Campaign

(NAC) and the National Eczema Society run joint activity holidays (PEAK) for children and young peo- ple. Sporting activities include archery, skiing, orienteering, canoe- ing, ice skating, rock climbing, swimming and fencing. For more information contact the NAC on 0171 226 2260.

● The United Kingdom Sports Council have comprehensive lists of asthma medications that are per- mitted. Their address is: UK Sports Council, Ethics and Anti-Doping, Walkden House, 10 Melton Street, London NW1 2EB or the Drug Information Helpline number is 0171 380 8030.

● For further information about scuba diving and asthma, contact the British Sub-Aqua Club, Telford’s Quay, Ellesmere Port, South Wirral, Cheshire L65 4FY

References 1. Kaur B et al. Prevalence of asthma symptoms, diagnosis and treatment in 12-14 year old chil- dren across Great Britain. BMJ 1998; 318:118-124 2. Pianosi P. (1999) Diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. In: Kendig’s Disorders of the Respiratory Tract in Children. Eds: Chernick V, Boat TF, and Kendig EL. 6th Edition; WB Saunders, Philadelphia. 3. Platts-Mills TAE, Carter ME. Asthma and indoor allergens.

NEJM 1997;336(19):1382-1384 4. Waalkens et al. The effect of an inhaled cor- ticosteroid (budesonide) on exercise-induced asthma in children. European Respiratory Journal 1993;6(5):652-656 5. Green CP, Price JF. Prevention of exercise- induced asthma by inhaled salmeterol xinaforte. Archives of Disease in Childhood 1992;67(8):1014-1017 6. Boner AL et al. Inhaled formoterol in the pre- vention of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in asthmatic children. Am. J. of Respiratory Critical Care Medicine 1994;149:935-939 7. Matsumoto I et al. Effects of swimming train- ing on aerobic capacity and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in children with bronchial asthma. Thorax 1999;54:196-201 8. Neder et al. Short-term effects of aerobic training in the clinical management of moderate to severe asthma in children. Thorax 1999;54:202-206