Physical activity can have profound effects – both positive and negative – on children and adolescents with asthma, according to new research. The study explores how participation in physical activities impacts the well-being and social experiences of young people living with this chronic respiratory condition. The findings were published in the journal INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing.
Asthma is one of the most common chronic illnesses among children and adolescents, often making physical activity challenging due to symptoms such as shortness of breath and wheezing. However, physical activity is widely recognised as beneficial for improving fitness and overall health. The research, a meta-ethnography, synthesised data from 16 qualitative studies, representing the experiences of 238 young individuals with asthma. It found that their participation in physical activities often intersects with complex emotional and social dynamics.
On the positive side, engaging in physical activity was found to foster feelings of connection and resilience among participants. Many reported enjoying increased well-being when they managed to overcome challenges related to their asthma, such as breathlessness. This sense of achievement and belonging often came through supportive relationships with friends, family, and coaches, which encouraged them to remain active. Learning to manage their symptoms during exercise also contributed to feelings of empowerment and normalisation.
Thomas Westergren, PhD, professor at the University of Stavanger, said: “Our findings in the meta-ethnography describe how empathetic, inclusive, and supportive relationships may foster well-being and resilience and enhance participation in physical activity among children and adolescents with asthma.”
Conversely, the study highlights a darker side to these experiences. Some young people reported feeling misunderstood or stigmatised during physical activities, especially in environments lacking awareness of asthma-related challenges. These negative experiences often led to embarrassment, shame, or even social isolation. In some cases, this discouragement caused participants to withdraw from activities altogether, exacerbating feelings of alienation. Professor Westergren noted: “When awareness and empathy were neither communicated nor modelled, avoidance of physical activity, embarrassment, and shame were rather created.”
The researchers argue that these contrasting experiences highlight the need for increased awareness and support from peers, educators, and sports coaches. Westergren underscored the importance of societal awareness: “The experiences of children and adolescents with asthma call attention to knowledge and awareness in the society concerning asthma and how asthma symptoms may create challenges in relation to physical activity on physical, emotional, and social domains.”
The study underscores the delicate balance faced by children and adolescents with asthma. While physical activity offers significant opportunities for personal growth and improved health, the associated social and emotional challenges cannot be overlooked. As Westergren added: “Participants who named and spoke about their embarrassment and shame in the primary studies may have particularly contributed to such awareness, showing their vulnerability and encouraging us and ourselves to empathy and compassion.” He concluded by expressing optimism for future research: “We hope and plan to contribute with novel knowledge in the future, both concerning asthma symptoms and sensations in relation to physical activity, and how to increase asthma competence and awareness in schools, sports organisations, and society in general.”
