News

Reach your sporting peak with asthma

(L-R) John Barrett, Chairperson Angela Edghill, Tamara Jade Brockman	(L-R) Jean Higgins, Dr Pat Manning, Ruth Irwin, Baby Joey Irwin, Louise Maher, Suzanne Ryan& Carmel Mc Keon

"Asthma shouldn't be a hurdle in sport and exercise" was the message to parents and children on Monday 30th April, from the Asthma Society of Ireland (ASI), at the launch of the "Reach Your Peak with Asthma" campaign.

An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern TD attended the launch in Croke Park alongside Colin Moran, captain of Dublin's senior football team and young people wearing a diverse array of sporting apparel, holding hurls, footballs, rugby balls etc.

Speaking on the "Reach Your Peak" DVD, Munster and Ireland rugby player Ronan O'Gara said: "The more sport you play the healthier you become, which in the long run I think benefits your asthma".

Coinciding with World Asthma Day (May 1st), the aim of the campaign is to encourage young people with asthma to participate fully in sport and exercise and to provide them, their parents, teachers and coaches with the necessary knowledge so that they can participate meaningfully and safely in sporting activities.

As part of the campaign an information pack about asthma and sport, will be distributed to primary and post primary schools and sporting bodies nationwide, providing information and advice on how best to manage asthma during physical activity.  
Included in the pack is an information leaflet entitled "Top Tips on Exercising with Asthma", as well as an inspirational DVD featuring both young people with asthma who successfully participate in sport, alongside some of Ireland's renowned sporting heroes, including Irish sports internationals, John O'Shea, Ronan O'Gara, and Kilkenny Hurler Martin Comerford - who also have asthma.

Speaking at the launch of the campaign, Jean Holohan, CEO, Asthma Society of Ireland said: "As many as 1 in 5 children have asthma and understandably many parents are nervous of them participating in sport. Young people with asthma and their parents may often feel that their condition forces them to sit on the sidelines or restrict physical activity thus they can miss out on the benefits of exercise. "

"The majority of young people with asthma should be able to partake in sport once their asthma is well managed", according to Dr. Pat Manning, Chairperson of the Medical Advisory Board of the Asthma Society of Ireland.

"Asthma symptom control can be achieved for most people with asthma. The need to use your reliever (blue) inhaler for symptom control more than twice per week may indicate poor asthma control. If this is the case you should have your asthma reviewed with your GP and implement a personal asthma management plan.

The good news is that when asthma is properly treated, and the necessary pre-training steps are undertaken, a normal sports life can become a reality."

"Whatever your chosen sport, it (asthma) shouldn't hold you back", John O'Shea, Manchester United player and Ireland international - who also features on the DVD.

Sponsored by Merck Sharp & Dohme Ireland (Human Health) Ltd and The Colin McKeon Memorial Fund.

Back to News page