Asthma Society of Ireland launch new sports & exercise toolkit at European Conference

‘Reach Your Peak with Asthma’ pack is a vital resource for adults and children with asthma who want to take part in sport.

Pictured above: Louis Coyne, Asthma Society Research & Education Officer and Professor Stephen Lane at the launch of Reach Your Peak with Asthma

The Asthma Society of Ireland launched a new toolkit, Reach Your Peak with Asthma to help and encourage people with asthma to take part in sports and exercise.  The launch took place on Saturday 12th of May as the Asthma Society hosted the AGM of EFA, the European Federation for asthma and allergy patients, held in Dublin. Asthma patients from a variety of sporting fields and clubs were invited to join member delegates from more than 15 countries across Europe, where they were given expert information on exercising with asthma and a copy of the Reach Your Peak with Asthma pack.

Reach Your Peak with Asthma was endorsed by John O’Shea, Republic of Ireland International Soccer Player and Asthma Society of Ireland Ambassador. John O’Shea said: “I’ve had asthma since I was a kid but I haven’t let it hold me back. Keeping my asthma under control has been vital in achieving my sporting goals. By following the Reach Your Peak tips and keeping your asthma under control you too can get the most out of exercise and succeed in any sport.”

Reach Your Peak with Asthma comprises three useful tools, an information booklet, poster and wallet card, to help adults and children with asthma exercise safely. The booklet contains comprehensive information on all aspects of exercising with asthma including the steps to take before you exercise, asthma information for coaches and PE teachers and a sport specific guide on exercising with asthma. The poster is designed to be displayed in schools and sports clubs to give pupils, members, teachers and coaches, access to important information on exercising with asthma and what to do in an asthma attack. The wallet card is a vital personal asthma tool which is easy to carry in your pocket or gym bag and contains ‘Top Tips for Exercising with Asthma’ and an Asthma Emergency Plan detailing what to do in an asthma attack.

Professor Stephen Lane gives a presentation at the Launch of Reach Your Peak with Asthma.

Professor Stephen Lane, Professor of Respiratory Medicine at Tallaght and Peamont Hospitals and member of the Asthma Society of Ireland Medical Board gave a talk on asthma and exercise to patients at the open day and was on hand to answer questions. Professor Lane said, “Asthma should not be a barrier for anyone taking part in sport and exercise. In fact, research has shown that a structured exercise regime can improve asthma control. However it is important that people with asthma know their triggers and how to manage their asthma so that they can remain healthy and perform to their fullest ability. The Asthma Society’s Reach Your Peak with Asthma pack is a comprehensive toolkit, giving vital information to anyone with asthma or anyone supervising exercise or sporting activities.”

Dr Jean Holohan, CEO, of the Asthma Society said “Ireland has the 4th highest prevalence of asthma worldwide, 470,000 people in Ireland suffer with the condition. Nearly 60% of asthma sufferers in Ireland do not have their asthma under control. Once asthma is under control and the correct precautions are taken asthma should not be a barrier to succeeding in any sport.”

Asthma Society of Ireland CEO Dr Jean Holohan and Chairperson Angela Edghill at the Reach Your Peak with Asthma Launch.

To order your Reach Your Peak with Asthma pack or to speak confidentially with an asthma nurse, call 1850 44 54 64.