Asthma and Swimming: Dive Right In?

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Q: I have an 8-month-old son and a 4-year-old daughter and they both have asthma. My husband wants to enroll them in swimming lessons this summer. He said someone told him that swimming is good for kids with asthma, that it's supposed to exercise their lungs and make them stronger. I think the opposite— it's a lot of exercise for little kids and would only trigger their asthma and make them start coughing again. Does swimming really help kids with asthma?

A: As with most marital disagreements, both of you are right—and both of you are wrong.

Exercise is absolutely a good idea for kids with asthma. It goes a long way toward keeping all kids healthy, and toward preventing obesity, which is becoming epidemic among children in the U.S. Exercise can also improve asthma. Studies show that it can help children with asthma breathe better. And swimming is a good choice because it is less likely to cause asthma symptoms than other forms of exercise.

But, in a small study done in Belgium, children who swam as infants in chlorinated swimming pools were more likely to have asthma later in childhood. It appeared that the chlorine may have damaged the lining of the lungs. And the American Academy of Pediatrics doesn't recommend swimming lessons for children under the age of 4 because before then children aren't developmentally ready to learn to swim (and might end up with a false sense of security around water).

I'd suggest a compromise—another thing that's common to many marital disagreements.

Don't enroll the 8-month-old—wait until he can really learn. Go ahead and enroll the 4-year-old, but look for a pool that is well ventilated. An outdoor pool would be best. Talk to your doctor about using asthma medications to prevent any problems, and make sure both of your children are seeing the doctor regularly to monitor their asthma.

See All Harvard Articles on Asthma

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Claire McCarthy, M.D., is a senior medical editor for Harvard Health Publications. She is an instructor in pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, an attending physician at Children's Hospital of Boston, and co-director of the pediatrics department at Martha Eliot Health Center, a neighborhood health service of Children's Hospital. The author of two books, "Learning How the Heart Beats" and "Everyone's Children", Dr. McCarthy was a regular columnist for "Sesame Street Parents Magazine" from 1995 to 1998 and is currently a contributing editor for "Parenting Magazine".

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Monday, October 12, 2009 10:07:34 PM

I grew up with asthma and hated everything exercise related except swimming. Swimming was the best thing for me. I lived in Florida and the saltwater was especially beneficial. My mom often commented about how the saltwater seemed to "clear me up".

MrsHTX

Monday, October 12, 2009 9:22:13 PM

I've had asthma all my life and practically grew up swimming and it never triggered an asthma attack if anything it was one the best exercises I did for my lungs. I even swam competitively for 8 years. I say go for it let your kids swim enroll them in lessons the earlier the better that way they are not afraid of the water but will learn to respect the water. I also taught swim lessons for 4 years and it was always easier to teach the kids that had been in a pool when they were young how to swim vs the 5 year old that had never been in or around a pool how to swim they were the ones that hung on to you and would not let go.

Swimmer79

Monday, October 12, 2009 9:04:37 PM

1181987, yes, learning to play a wind or brass instrument is one of the best things someone with asthma can do. It's a great way to learn to control the airflow and strengthen the lungs.

Swimmer79

Monday, October 12, 2009 9:02:53 PM

I agree with whomever said that the first thing they need to do is determine whether it's exercise-induced asthma or another type. I had exercise-induced asthma for years but I outgrew it, and even then it was only if I ran around too hard in extremely cold weather (and didn't warm up or cool down properly before and after).

And to A Baxter, kudos to you for trying to quit smoking, especially if you have asthma. I'm sure you'll get even better once you do; I know my brother did! :)

john23433

Monday, October 12, 2009 6:33:45 PM

I've had asthma most of my life, played basketball in middle school, and early high school, always had to use an inhaler before the games to prevent attacks. Join the swim team in high school, and my asthma symptoms went away. Got out of the habit of swimming after college, and my asthma came back. I wasn't getting much exercise working 55 hours per week. Finally gave in and started swimming again, my asthma got much better again. Tried running for awhile, not as effective as swimming

ghfvy7

Monday, October 12, 2009 6:30:36 PM

Is the asthma exercise-induced ("sports asthma") or triggered by something else (stress, allergies, etc)? I have had exercise-induced asthma for most of my life, and it is triggered by any type of cardiovascular exercise, including swimming. However, the moisture in the air at the pool or beach definitely does keep me from coughing, and though I still get short of breath I seem to recover faster than if I were somewhere dryer, like running around on a field or something. It is important to teach young kids to recognize when they are STARTING to have symptoms so they can stop and take a rest before it gets really bad, because most of the time I start having the most trouble breathing about 10 seconds after I stop to rest. Also, learn breathing techniques (in deeply through the nose, out slowly through the mouth) to get your breathing under control when you do have a problem.

KL395

Monday, October 12, 2009 6:23:14 PM

I was found to have asthma when I was a toddler after my parents heard me coughing and wheezing in the night while sleeping. My doctor later recommended that I join the swim team. At 6 years old my mom insisted that after lessons I would try out and have now been swimming for 8 years. My asthma bothered me a bit at first, but I quickly started to improve my health. I am now at my team's top level, swimming 2+ hours 6 days a week and it has kept me fit in every aspect w/o any symptoms. In fact my asthma is hardly even there! At school I am one of the fittest kids, and swim team is a wonderful energy output for me. It helps make friends, keeps you safe in the water, and is literally a life long sport. Go for it!

kohana

Monday, October 12, 2009 6:03:38 PM

I love to swim; however, have this heavy, tight, feeling in my chest when I do swim -- especially in deeper water. I feel like I have to raise my body out of the water to catch my breath; therefore, I try to avoid swimming in deep water. It is a bit annoying because I would love to work toward swimming for a longer period of time (without having to jump up to get my chest out of the water to catch my breath). Is this a phobia or is something wrong with me? I used to think I had asthma, but only get it now when I am really sick or stressed, so maybe it's all a mental thing? Any advice?

sdbc

Monday, October 12, 2009 5:35:54 PM

i am 43 years old and was first diagnosed with asthma when i was 2 years old (my mom says). i first learned to swim when i was 2 years old, but never exercised regularly until i was 18 years old. i had severe asthma as a kid, sometimes having to go to the emergency room twice in one night (and being admitted on the 2nd visits). i started jogging at 18, and the first time around the track i got asthma. i kept at it and during my first year in college i was playing water polo with no asthma problems. i would run early in the morning followed by an early morning swim, then off to classes. zero asthma problems. if you want to minimize asthma, you MUST exercise. sounds counter intuitive, but it works!

A. Baxter

#10

Monday, October 12, 2009 5:27:18 PM

Definitely a good decision to avoid smoking for all of those other asthmatics out there. I can barely run/jog/speed-walk over 10 feet. I'd also suggest to many of the parents it is very important to keep a good eye on your child while they swim. Though exercise is a great factor when swimming, the stamina of a child or adolescent is not best in water (mostly beaches). Swimming requires a lot of upper and lower body endurance to stay above water. When anyone who suffers from asthma (exercise induced) travels a great distance from land or ground, it is certainly playing with chance.

One summer ago I had been out in California at the beach, I had traveled merely a 20 feet from shore and surely I began having an asthmatic episode. With the combined force of wave and current it seemed as if I was doomed to sink but fortunately when push comes to shove I wouldn't give. This experience showed me that other asthmatics should be very cautious as to the dangers they may face at any given moment.

Also a key note, people need to be more courteous. A good amount of asthmatics can't tolerate cosmetic products. Once on a plane I encountered a god awful situation, the lady next to me was using "finger paint remover" or whatever it's called. That weird chemical fume triggered an asthma attack mid-flight, of all places why? Plus in one of my Health Education Courses at my university a lady entered the room and started spraying perfume all over the **** bloody place. I have to flippin leave the room to get fresh air and breath. These scenarios occur everywhere, every single bloody godawful place. Also, I don't mean to be biased women because men can also be less considerate (I've seen a smoker walk off outside a smoking area paying no mind that others do mind)(As for those smokers who think I'm singling you out, I am a smoker but a courteous one). Continuing on, most asthmatics are prone to allergies, perfumes/colognes, cosmetics, smoke, many airborne products + cleaning products that can lead to an attacks.

We are very capable of reaching new bounds but given some negative conditions will be limited (e.x. not good for me to smoke). It is a fantastic idea to encourage children with asthma to strengthen their lungs and endurance also to get others to become more aware of harmful activities that effect asthmatics.

Also to mention for those who may be curious as to why I smoke and have asthma (this part may be boring and stiffly off-topic), I had first showed some mild symptoms of asthma as a child but was not diagnosed. Shortly after I began smoking at a young age then, of course, had been diagnosed with asthma because of more visible symptoms. Today I'm a heavy smoker with a lot of burdens that I can't fall out of: ranging from stress, insomnia, and stress. I do intend on finding a way to cut off my habit (obviously addiction isn't just a-boot-and-go, it's lifelong) and get fit so I can run and fast walk and enjoy being more able without hesitation. I miss being able to run down a street and not be gasping for air. Mainly the best way to overcome it though, is when I can commit to it and not be weighed down.

(Sorry if I was jumpy, I have lost train of thought and have no idea what is going on)

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