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Exercise Breathing Issues

Care For Exercises Induced Breathing Issues In Games and Practices
Issues, when the do occur  happen approximately 15 minutes after the individual starts to exercise. The symptoms include: 
  • stopped playing with shortness of breath and gasping for air,
  • tightness in chest, and
  • sore throat.

The closest qualified person needs to instantly rush to the individual to get them to calm down and breath slowly (parents are not a qualified person unless they are a qualified medical professional, EMT or know what the condition is and what to do). 

If in a game calmly yell to the referee that you have a player who can't catch their breath. Don't yell in a panic to the referee because your player may then panic more making the breathing issue worse.

Most referees will wave you on instantly. If they don't hear you or wave you onto the field instantly go to the player immediately if they appear to be in distress.
  • with a calm voice tell them to calm down and breathe slowly as you raise and hold their arms above their head to get them to expand the lungs,
  • keep calmly assuring them everything is going to be fine,
  • if their parent comes running to their player in a panic calmly assure them everything will be fine, and 
  • if the player doesn't calm down and still can't breathe call 911 for assistance.
In actual experience have seen players calm down, sit out for a while and then finish playing the game without an additional episode that day.

Multiple Episodes of Breathing Issues In Games And Practices
EIB episodes are transient and are often triggered by a weakened immune system, something in the air, etc. and never happen again. EIA episodes are recurring and often treated with an inhaler or medication. 

If a player has recurring attacks their parents / guardians should take them in for a medical checkup and medications if they are needed to avoid future attacks.


Avoiding Breathing Issues In Games And Practices
Breathing problems in games can largely be avoided by:
  • Breathing deeply through the nose to filter and warm the air,
  • Doing a 10 minute warm up with walking and jogging prior to exercise,
  • Doing a 10 minute cool down after exercise,
  • Outdoors cold temperatures and/or allergens or pollutants trigger breathing problems. Wear a mask to filter and warm the air,
  • Indoors allergens or pollutants can trigger breathing problems. Wear a mask to filter the indoor air,
  • Avoid exercise if you have a respiratory infection.