If our asthma is well controlled, in theory, we can practice any type of sport and/or exercise, even at a high level. There are many famous athletes, who you surely know, who are asthmatic, such as the footballer David Beckham, the swimmers Mireia Belmonte or David Meca and the cyclists Miguel Indurain, Alex Zülle or Jan Ullrich. In this article we will see which sports we can practice with asthma.

But before doing any sport on a regular basis, regardless of which one you choose, it would be advisable to consult with your doctor or physiotherapist to see which one is most suitable for you based on your current clinical situation and preferences.

What sports or exercises are safest for people with asthma?

Although, as we have said, as long as asthma is well controlled, there should not be any sport contraindicated, there are certain sports considered safe for people with this respiratory problem. Some of them are:

  • Walk: Because it allows you to regulate its intensity and adapt it to your state at all times.
  • team sports: Well, it will allow you to take short breaks.
  • Swimming: It is a very complete exercise and highly recommended for people with asthma as long as they are not allergic to chlorine and/or humidity.
  • Yoga, Pilates or Tai Chi: In addition to working the body, it improves the respiratory pattern and helps us control symptoms in times of crisis.

What about higher risk sports?

Mountain Sports

Although there is no accepted consensus, it is advisable for people with active asthma not to stay in places above 3000 meters, although other factors must be taken into account such as physical condition, the type of activity that one wants to do, etc.

Exercising in the mountains can be beneficial for asthmatics because the density is lower, there is less concentration of pollution and allergens (allergy-causing substances such as pollen, fungi or dust mites).

One factor to take into account is that coughing in the mountains is not always a symptom of asthma, as it can be caused, among other things, by the exercise itself, a decrease in the concentration of oxygen in the blood, the presence of cold and/or dry air, etc.

Skydiving, bungee jumping…

In principle you could do so as long as:

  • His asthma is well controlled.
  • Cold air is not one of your asthma triggers.
  • He does not have exercise-induced asthma.

Diving

The most common causes of asthma attacks during diving are:

  • Breathing cold, dry or polluted air.
  • Hyperventilation due to exercise.
  • Emotional crisis due to:
    • Fear of the environment.
    • Fear of suffering a crisis underwater.
    • Nerves.
  • Unstable previous state.

Asthmatic patients are permitted to go scuba diving with compressed air:

  • Without symptoms and without medication if they are in good physical shape.
  • With symptoms but:
    • Who tolerate exercise thanks to appropriate treatment.
    • They do not require rescue medication during periods of stress or exertion.
    • His medical test results are within the reference ranges.
    • Your bronchoreactivity test is negative.

Patients with:

  • Severe persistent asthma.
  • Symptoms not controlled despite taking medication correctly.
  • Exercise and cold as triggers of asthma requiring the use of a rescue inhaler.
  • Poor physical condition.

To summarize the sports to practice with asthma, you will be able to dive if your doctor allows you to dive, you have not had symptoms for at least the week prior to the dive, you do not suffer from a respiratory infection that is causing an increase in secretions and your sensitivity and you do not do it alone.

If you want to start practicing a sport and you have doubts about whether it is suitable for you, contact our coaches through the line of consciousness:

http://www.aepap.org/sites/default/files/educacionparalasaludcolegios.pdf
https://www.asthma.org.ukfile:///
https://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/factsheet_recommendations/es/
http://www.sgaic.org/wordpress/?p=11

Last updated on 7 March, 2026