How To Be An Amazing Athlete With Asthma

Asthma does not have to keep you sidelined. You can participate in athletic activities without asthma standing in your way. There are many athletes who perform on a world class level with asthma. This list will surprise you!

World Class Athletes With Asthma

Tom Dolan-Olympic Athlete, swimmer

Kurt Grote-Olympic Athlete, swimmer

Nancy Hogshead-Olympic Athlete, swimmer

Jackie Joyner-Kersee-Olympic Athlete, track and field

Greg Louganis-Olympic Athlete, diving

Rob Muzio-Olympic Athlete, decathlon

Amy Van Dyken-Olympic Athlete, swimmer

Theresa Zabell-Olympic Athlete, yachting

Alex Zulle-Olympic Athlete, cycling

George Murray-Boston Marathon winner, wheelchair athlete

Dominique Wilkins-Basketball Player

Dennis Rodman-Basketball Player

There are many more Olympic,professional and everyday athletes who train with asthma. If you are starting a running program, whether you have asthma or not, you must develop a base first. Run a set distance of one to three miles. You must be able to run this distance continuously and at a pace that allows you to talk easily or a conversational pace. You can develop this type of endurance by following former Olympian, Jeff Galloway’s Run Walk Method.

Here is an example of how to start running with With Jeff Galloway’s Method:

Start with walking at your own pace 100 meters
Slow jog for the next 100 meters
Walk for 100 meters
Continue to walk-slow jog in 100 meter intervals for 15 minutes three times per week.

When this program becomes easy for you consider it your new base. Add more distance and time to increase your endurance.

The pace is up to you, but be sure the pace is enough to increase your heart rate. Pick up the pace to when it becomes slightly difficult to talk while jogging. Consistently following a plan like this will improve your aerobic capacity. Building your aerobic capacity is absolutely essential for sustained periods of hard work or vigorous athletic activity.

It may be necessary for you to see your primary care doctor for a prescription for Albuterol. To prevent the onset of exercise-induced asthma, many athletes use a couple of puffs of Albuterol immediately prior to workouts. Albuterol helps stop your airways from constricting and allows improved air exchange as you exercise. I have had asthma since age two. I use my inhaler before every run and sometimes during the run if I need it.

Most exercise is good for asthmatics. Swimming is the best, but any exercise will increase your capacity to exchange oxygen. So go ahead run, swim, and cycle and enjoy doing it!