Contrary to popular belief, exercise actually helps asthma. Some asthma sufferers avoid exercise because of its high 
risk of inducing an attack. That is understandable, but lack of exercise only worsens the condition. It increases the frequency and intensity of attacks.
How & why
Exercise triggers asthma attacks
It is true that physical exertion can be an asthma-inducing trigger. In fact, it is the chief trigger for about 90% of asthma sufferers. Exercise is not the culprit here; it is the air, more particularly cold air, that triggers symptoms.
When you are at rest, or not physically exerting yourself, the air you breathe is warm, moist, and filtered by the cilia in the nose, sinuses and lungs. The air enters the body slowly and dusts particles are more readily trapped by mucus in the airways.
During exercise, however, you breathe a lot faster usually through the mouth (no filters there, mind you!). This brings dry, cool air to the lungs very quickly. As a result, the harsh air causes the airways to tighten, the bronchi inflame and produces excess mucus narrowing the airways to make breathing difficult prompting a full on attack in asthma sufferers with the regular symptoms of coughing and wheezing that follow.
This process or effect is the same even for non asthma sufferers. I suffer the same symptoms playing soccer outdoors in the cold of winter. With proper control you can perform better and live like a non sufferer. Jackie Joyner Kersee, Isaiah Thomas, and Dennis Rodman are perfect examples of elite athletes who got asthma under control to perform even better than us non sufferers! See tips on controlling asthma here.
How do I exercise with asthma?
First, you want to ensure you have proper breathing techniques. Practice deep breathing so you get accustomed to it and therefore get more air into the body. Here’s how.
Then, before you exercise get a lung function test to measure how much air you are able to exhale, and how quickly. Lung function tests confirm the presence of airway obstruction that improves with asthma treatment.
On the day of exercise, make sure you are feeling well, or there is no symptom, however mild, of an attack.
Measure your peak flow with a peak flow meter (peak flow meters measure lung capacity). If your peak flow is less than 80, do not exercise.
Avoid exercising in bad weather. If the weather outside is foggy, cold, or there is generally poor air quality and you set off to run a 5k, you are simply asking for it.
Warm up slowly and thoroughly before exercise. Stretch, breathing deeply to enhance the stretch. Follow up with a more comprehensive stretch after exercise.
Drink plenty water. This should be a given, but most asthma sufferers “forget” to hydrate during exercise. Hydration relieves bronchial dilation from dry air and makes for proper circulation and elimination of toxins that could constitute a risk. See more on hydration here.
Use your inhaler before exercise, and keep it close during exercise.
If you experience an attack, stop. Use your inhaler; sit up straight. When the attack subsides, you may choose to continue.
Stop completely, if you have a second attack. Your team mates will have to continue the game without you at that point!
Control asthma, don’t let it control you. Respiratory health, and of course exercise is key to overall physical health. Inactivity only makes the condition worse. Of course talk to your doctor before engaging in any physical exerting regimen. Remember, the goal is to thrive… not just survive!