You can play sports and have asthma. Several high-level athletes have asthma, like Christopher Froome. High performance athletes are even more likely to develop asthma because of their intense sports activity.
Asthma treatment or doping? Christopher Froome underwent doping control during the 18e stage of the Tour of Spain last September. The results are positive, the level of the bronchodilator salbutamol exceeds the authorized thresholds. However, this product is also used in the treatment of asthma. Christopher Froome said he suffered from exercise asthma in 2014.
Asthma and intense exercise
Intense physical exercise as practiced in high performance sport can cause asthma. Studies have proven this, such as that published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2015. Three disciplines would be particularly favorable to the development of asthma: Nordic skiing, due to the dry and cold air, swimming, due to chlorine vapors, and triathlon.
Scuba diving is contraindicated
Christopher Froome is not the only asthmatic athlete. Louis Saha, professional footballer, has had asthma since childhood. For people with asthma, the practice of sport is recommended. It allows all the respiratory muscles to work.
However, scuba diving should be avoided, as cold, dry bottled air underwater can cause an asthma attack. However, it is impossible to take treatment while diving.
If you have asthma and play sports, wheezing or coughing after exercise are symptoms of a possible asthma attack.
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