Asthma can make it hard to stay active when physical activity triggers asthma symptoms.

A study of European athletes competing in the Summer Olympics found that 16.5 percent of participants had asthma, a rate nearly double that observed in the general population. Many of the world’s elite athletes have achieved their goals while living with asthma.

Children, adolescents, and teens living with asthma might be frustrated if they feel their condition prevents them from participating in exercise and sports. But asthma doesn’t have to hold back would-be swimmers, cross-country runners, and other young athletes. When asthma symptoms are controlled, there’s no limit to what a person can achieve — as illustrated by the success stories of several well-known athletes who also happen to have asthma.

7 Star Athletes Who Have Asthma

Some of the most famous and successful athletes have become leaders of their sport while living with asthma. Their stories highlight the importance of effective asthma management and the potential to overcome challenges with the right support and dedication.

1. Greg Louganis

The American diver Greg Louganis earned four gold medals and one silver in the Olympic Games. He struggled with asthma as a child, but his mother and his doctors encouraged him to stay active to improve his symptoms and increase his lung capacity.

“I spent some time in the hospital with pretty severe asthma attacks,” he said in an interview with the Brisbane Times, “but my doctor encouraged my mum to keep me active to increase my lung capacity.”

2. Kristi Yamaguchi

Kristi Yamaguchi, a former figure skater, made her mark in 1992 when she became the first Asian American woman to win a gold medal in the Winter Olympics. In 2005, she was inducted into the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame. Diagnosed with asthma as a child, Yamaguchi had to learn how to manage asthma symptoms that were triggered by cold air in ice arenas.

3. David Beckham

Considered by many to be one of the greatest soccer players of his generation, David Beckham has become a global cultural icon. He has won numerous titles and awards throughout his career, becoming the first English player to win league titles in four countries — England, Spain, the United States, and France.

Beckham has been living with asthma since he was a young boy — and was even pictured using his inhaler during halftime of the LA Galaxy Cup, a youth soccer tournament. In an interview with The Telegraph, he said, “Sometimes I have good days and bad days. I’ve never hidden it, but it’s something I’ve had for a good few years now. I hope it turns into a positive because I’ve been able to play for many years with the condition.”

4. Jerome Bettis

Jerome Bettis played in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons. Nicknamed “The Bus,” Bettis was a six-time Pro Bowl selection and ranks eighth in NFL rushing yards. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015. He achieved all this while living with asthma, which he was diagnosed with in high school.

Bettis has worked hard to keep his symptoms under control and has been an advocate for people with asthma and allergies. He wants to educate children with asthma and once stated during a congressional briefing: “You can do almost anything with asthma as long as it’s well-managed.”

5. Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Jackie Joyner-Kersee is an American track and field athlete who brought home three gold medals in the long jump at the Olympics. Considered one of the all-time greatest athletes in her sport, Joyner-Kersee was named by Sports Illustrated as the best female athlete of the 20th century.

Joyner-Kersee learned that she had asthma while she was in college, where she was already a top athlete. The diagnosis took her by surprise. She has been quoted saying, “I was always told as a young girl that if you had asthma there was no way you could run, jump, or do the things I was doing athletically. So, I just knew it was impossible for me to have it. It took me a while to accept that I was asthmatic. It took me a while to even start taking my medication properly, to do the things that the doctor was asking me to do. I just didn’t want to believe that I was an asthmatic. But once I stopped living in denial, I got my asthma under control, and I realized that it is a disease that can be controlled.”

6. Emmitt Smith

Being diagnosed with asthma as a child didn’t stop Emmitt Smith from becoming one of the best running backs in NFL history. He played for 15 seasons, becoming the league’s all-time leading rusher, and has the record for most rushing touchdowns (164). Smith was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2006.

7. Paula Radcliffe

Paula Radcliffe, a British long-distance runner, won the London Marathon and the New York City Marathon three times each and once held the title of fastest female marathoner of all time. Radcliffe was inducted into the England Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010, while still active in her athletic career. She retired from competitive running after the 2015 London Marathon.

Physical Activity Can Improve Asthma Symptoms

These athletes are role models not just because they stand out in their sport but also because they didn’t allow asthma to hold them back. People with asthma tend to be less physically active — especially when their symptoms are severe — than people who don’t have asthma. Those who, like Radcliffe, have exercise-induced asthma might avoid physical activity. Additionally, outdoor conditions, such as cold air, hot weather, and pollen, can trigger asthma symptoms.

Even so, if you or your child has asthma, exercise could actually be helpful. Studies show that regular physical activity can improve asthma symptoms by:

• Improving lung function
• Supporting the immune system
• Promoting a healthy weight (if that’s a goal)
• Reducing stress

Take Steps To Manage Asthma During Exercise

Having asthma doesn’t need to keep a person on the sidelines, so long as the condition is well managed. For example, if your child has exercise-induced asthma, their pediatrician may recommend using quick-relief medication 15 to 30 minutes before physical activity to prevent symptoms. Here are some additional tips for controlling asthma during exercise:

• Check the weather and allergen forecast before exercising outdoors. If conditions could increase the risk of respiratory symptoms, an indoor activity such as swimming or ice skating might be a better choice.
• Warm up before exercising and cool down afterward.
• Keep your quick-relief medication close, and use it if you start coughing, wheezing, or becoming short of breath.
• Let people around you know you have asthma, and tell them what to do if you have an asthma attack.
• Avoid triggers like pollen, dry air, cold, and heat if they make your asthma worse.
• Warm the air you breathe by covering your nose and mouth when you participate in winter sports like ice hockey.
• Plan outdoor activities when the weather is best, such as in the early morning during hot summers.

Work With Your Health Care Team

Talk to your health care provider about asthma control for living a full and active life. If your child has asthma, their pediatrician can recommend the proper treatment, including asthma medications for long-acting control and quick relief, so that your child can participate in endurance sports and other physical activities they enjoy.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyAsthmaTeam is the social network for people with asthma and their loved ones. On MyAsthmaTeam, more than 11,600 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with adult or pediatric asthma.

Has physical activity helped improve symptoms for you or a loved one? Are you the parent of a child who has asthma and participates in sports? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.