Patients who should be restricted in sports participation:
(1) severe or difficult-to-control asthma
(2) severe exercise-induced asthma
Recommendations for a patient with mild to moderate asthma:
(1) The patient should have a complete medical assessment prior to sports participation.
(2) Try to identify potential triggers for an exacerbation of asthma and minimize the risk of exposure.
(3) Monitor the patient for signs of respiratory infection.
(4) Make sure that the athlete is adherent with asthma medications.
(5) Have ready access to emergency services. Avoid situations where emergency care is inaccessible.
(6) Determine the impact of possible exposures during athletics that might impact asthma or asthma therapy (dehydration, temperature extremes, altitude effects, etc).
(7) Provided informed consent prior to sports participation.
The monitoring of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) may be helpful to identify an athlete at risk for an exacerbation.
