[Sports for children and adolescents with asthma--risk or chance?].

Even though every child suffering from asthma is prone to exercise-induced asthma attacks, avoiding all physical exertion is no solution to the problem. By means of a carefully graded physical training programme every asthma patient is not only able to participate in school sports but can even achieve above average performances in other suitable sports activities. Today, sports therapy is an integral part of successful active rehabilitation programs for chronically asthmatic children and youths. Although it does not lead to a reduction of hyperreactivity--nor does it "train away" exercise-induced asthma--it does however postpone the threshold at which exercise--induced asthma is triggered off. The child's radius of activities is usually considerably enlarged and the child or youth regains self-confidence as well as confidence in his or her performance. This positive attitude influences other educational and scholastic areas as well and is an important starting-point for effectively coping with the ailment.