My ten year old has been struggling with playing sports the last couple of years. He has enjoyed it but has had trouble breathing. He was diagnosed (although with very good breathing test scores) with mild asthma a couple of years ago. We also found out he has a lot of allergies last year which I thought probably made sense as to why he had such trouble when he started playing baseball and football. Last year he didn't even finish his first practice with football because he couldn't breathe. He struggled for a week with should he try to play or not. There were a lot of tears, embarrassment, and struggle. It was hard to watch. He is wanting to try it again this year. He has not had really any other breathing episodes (to anywhere near that level at least ) since that day. I have always wondered a little if it could be also partially due to anxiety. He gets extremely nervous and I think feels pressure to do well. We tell him just to do his best and if he doesn't want to play that is good with us. He puts a lot of pressure on himself to do well in a lot of things and I think really wants to play sports? Could anxiety be an issue? Has anyone else dealt with anything like this? Thanks so much for any help.
Is it possible he's having panic attacks? Sounds like that might be part of the problem. I would suggest talking to his doctor about it.
My son had asthma basically from birth. He played baseball, basketball, for a season each, then soccer for three years. We carried an inhaler with us to all sporting events. If he became short of breath he would use it. He also knew, during soccer, to drop to one knee if he became short of breath. His coaches were aware that he had asthma, so they knew to watch for signs, and to ask him if he was short of breath due to asthma or just regular exertion.
While he gave up soccer two years ago, and his asthma is all but gone, he still gets shortness of breathe sometimes when he is overly physically exerted. So we still have an up to date inhaler in the house.
Talk to your son's Dr. about exercise induced asthma - an inhaler may help.
If it is anxiety related the only thing I know of that will help is to encourage him to work through the "fear". Small steps, and consistent support and encourage. Though, an inhaler would ease the breathing, and maybe serve as a "cure" for the anxiety.
Again, talk to his Dr.
Good Luck
God Bless
My DD has exercise-induced ashma so she uses an inhaler before games. It's a huge help.
Anxiety can have something o do with it so you need to teach him relaxation techniques - such as childbirth breathing. Sometimes even when you don't put pressure on him he may put it on himself. some sports are anxiety inducing - baseball for example. although it's a team sport when you're up at bat, or when the ball is coming to you in right field, or if you need to make the play or steal a base - it becomes very individual and all eyes are on that kid.
Make sure you encourage him and give positvie reinfocement for the effort, the way he anticipates the play,e tc - not neccessarily the result. If he swings at the ball, if he tries to get in to the back field, if attempt the block and gives it his best effort - praise that. He may be setting himself up for disappointment if he is only happy when he has a good game.
It passes too. I don't know how old he is - but my almost 12 yr old son is much better at dealing with his athletic "performances" in terms of success vs. failure than he used to be. We used to leave a few games a year in tears if he struck out or missed a play - but he's learned that some games jsut don't go your way - no matter how hard you try. And that's all that really counts - that you try your best, and be a good sport.
My dd has sports asthma-she needs to take her inhaler 20 min before exercise starts. Also, have his dr talk to him personally about the need to keep his lungs in shape, and also the difference between asthma and just regular ole' out-of-breath! Dd's dr. encourages hiking, soccer, and her martial arts.
If he's nervous but likes it and want to keep playing, then he should keep playing!! Getting nervous is normal, everyone gets nervous. There are professional athletes that actually throw up before games because they get so nervous.
He's ten years old, I think he should keep playing and in time it will get better. You could try practicing with him or signing him up for a summer sports clinic in football/baseball so that he gets extra practice and coaching that could help him feel more prepared and confident going into the fall season. Maybe have a coach talk to him about his sports anxiety...it's a very common problem that someone w/ training could talk to him about. If it gets to the point where he becomes so upset and doesn't want to play at all, then let him stop. But, wanting to do well and getting nervous are normal feelings in life, it would be great if he could learn to deal with it so he doesn't have to miss out on something he really likes. Goodluck!
Yes, stress can exacerbate an asthma episode. That was one of the first things my son's doctor told him when he suddenly developed asthma at age 11 last year. ( Exercise induced asthma. Started having it after he recovered from double pneumonia.... had never had problems we were aware of before that.) He said... if you start to have trouble with your breathing, just stay calm. Getting upset and stressed out will just make it worse. So stay calm, relax, and use the inhaler.
Are you sure he enjoys it? Maybe he just thinks he's supposed to enjoy it or knows you or his dad wants him to participate. What about an indoor sport like ice hockey?
Absolutely he could have anxiety issues after having trouble breathing.
Would he be happy with helping the team in other ways, like bat boy, water boy etc. and not actually playing?
Of course anxiety can play a role but it sounds more like exercise induced asthma. An inhaler can help. If there is any allergies playing a role here he needs to be taking allergy medicine too.
My son has asthma and also some anxiety issues. One thing we have done that seems to help is to keep him exercising during the off seasons. That way when the team has to run laps or high energy drills, he feels physically prepared. It might also be good to remind him that other kids struggle with the same things he does, so he shouldn't be embarrassed or anything. Lots of pro athelets have asthma, too.
Remind him that sports keep you healthy and they are supposed to be fun. Enjoy the game and the rest will fall into place. If he can stay active year round he will know his limits better and be able to tell what the asthma feels like versus being anxious or even just out of breath.
Good luck!
