Asthma advice to help young people into exercise

Children with asthma are to be given help and advice on how to be more active as a new programme has been launched in East Yorkshire.

The free one-hour sessions have been put together by East Riding of Yorkshire Council to support young people aged 10-18 who may be less likely to exercise because of the condition.

The council's public health lead Angela Williams said they are aiming to improve children' s confidence so that they can have an active childhood.

Williams said 1,500 young people are eligible for the programme, which is set to begin this month at leisure centres in Hornsea and Goole.

The programme will run at East Riding Leisure Bridlington from September.

Williams said when children feel out of breath it can be barrier against exercise.

"They're just not quite sure the difference between being out of breath through play and being out of breath that might then trigger an asthmatic response", she said.

"We're aiming to improve confidence and show children and their families how they can be safe and still be physically active through their childhood."

Williams encouraged parents and carers to speak to their asthma clinician, GP or school nurse, who can refer them onto the programme.

The one-hour sessions have a 15-minute education component to help participants understand and manage their asthma, followed by a 45-minute guided exercise session tailored to individual ability levels.

The sessions run at East Riding Leisure Goole and East Riding Leisure Hornsea on Mondays at 16:00 until 17:00 BST.

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