How well do you understand asthma? It’s time to get Activ8ed.
Asthma is a complex condition that affects one in 10 children in Western Australia. Without proper management and support, children can easily feel left out and left behind.
As a coach you are responsible for the players safety whether it is an injury or medical condition, while they are at training or on game day. Recognising the important role of coaches, team managers, parents and carers, Asthma WA has developed a new online training program, Activ8 for Asthma. The program is designed to help coaches to better understand asthma and how to support children and young people with the condition to participate in their chosen sport. It is important to remember when someone has breathing issues it can happen quickly, it can be frightening for all involved and can have serious consequences.
The Activ8 for Asthma course provides the knowledge, skills and confidence to anyone working with children to identify the signs of asthma, how to encourage better asthma management and what to do in an asthma emergency.
The short course is free and available through the Asthma WA website including three modules:
1. Managing Asthma
2. Asthma and Physical Activity
3. Asthma First Aid
The Activ8 for Asthma program is suitable for anyone working with children in sports. The course is available online with group face to face sessions also available. A certificate is provided upon completion of the course.
Asthma WA encourages sporting clubs to become Activ8ed for Asthma and recognises sporting clubs that have become Activ8ed with an ongoing loyalty program and a free Asthma Action Kit for emergencies.
To sign up for Activ8 for Asthma training, register for a face to face session or learn more about your club becoming Activ8ed for Asthma visit asthmawa.org.au/services/activ8-for-asthma/ or email ask@asthmawa.org.au
What’s the big deal about asthma?
Hospitalisations as a result of asthma continue to grow, with more than half of those being children aged 0-14 years of age. Asthma is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that is often misunderstood and mismanaged with child and teenage deaths from asthma being preventable.
Physical activity is important in helping to manage asthma, but it can also be more challenging to participate in activity when you have asthma. One in ten children in WA have asthma and it is not uncommon for them to develop anxiety about a potential asthma attack or to feel disappointed or frustrated that their asthma is holding them back from participating.
To sign up for Activ8 for Asthma training or register for a face to face session visit asthmawa.org.au/services/activ8-for-asthma/ or email ask@asthmawa.org.au
The Activ8 for Asthma program is funded by Channel 7 Telethon.
WA state Netball player, Olivia Lewis, has recently talked about struggling through parts of her training and has recognised that if she did not take her asthma more seriously, she would not be able to perform to the best of her abilities. After taking control of her Asthma she stated that, “I’ve found myself able to get to points in my fitness that I never thought I was capable of. I’ve never felt better physically and have been able to train so much harder than ever before.” Help children meet new people, make friends, develop problem solving skills and develop teamwork skills. Be Activ8ed and not let asthma hold them back!
