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Asthma varies from student to
student and often from season to season. This is why physical
education teachers and coaches need to understand what asthma is
and what the individual needs of their students are. At times,
programs for students with asthma may need temporary
modification, such as varying the type, length, and/or frequency
of activity. At all times, students with asthma should be
included in activities as much as possible. Remaining behind in
the gym or library or frequently sitting on the bench can set
the stage for teasing, loss of self-esteem, unnecessary
restriction of activity, and low levels of physical fitness.
Exercise induced asthma or
exercise induced bronchospasm is also a big challenge for
students and may require modification of activities.
Objectives of School Asthma Program
It is the
program’s hope that this topic, "School Asthma Program," will help classroom teachers, physical education
teachers, and coaches help their students participate fully and
safely in sports and physical activities.
Lifelong physical fitness is an important goal for all students.
Yet students with asthma frequently restrict their physical
activities - and about 1 child in every 15 has asthma. This
presents a challenge to classroom teachers, physical education
teachers and coaches. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood
Institute's National Asthma Education and Prevention Program
encourages a partnership among students, families, physicians,
and school personnel in managing and controlling asthma so that
students can be active.
How Students can
Control their Asthma
Getting control of
asthma means recognizing
asthma triggers
(the factors that make asthma worse or cause an asthma episode),
avoiding or controlling these triggers, following an asthma
management plan, and having convenient access to asthma
medications. It also means modifying physical activities to
match the students' current asthma status.
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