No, the child with asthma should not be penalized.
What we are trying to identify here is that kids should prepare--prior to the match the "rescue inhalers" are utilized the majority of the time when the kid is "behind" in points and needs a crutch....fear and anxiety are triggers that can induce an asthmatic attack.
Proper prophylaxis would be appropriate for the child to utilize the inhaler prior to the match therefore ultimate bronchial air flow. We are talking about "stopping" the match...with the utilization of inhalers MDI's the onset is 5-15 minutes and peak is 30-120 minutes, while the duration of the MDI is 2-6 hours. To prevent exercise induced bronchospasm 2 aerosol inahlations 15-30 minutes before exercise will achieve the ultimate effect of bronchodilation.
What ultimately comes down to is taking care of the body prior to exercise inducement of bronchospasms. Another reader noted that the child never used the MDI when they were ahead but yet would stop the 3rd period to get a "rescue".
Unfortunately, we won't change how people take care of their chronic conditions trying to wait until at times it's too late....thus who really knows if the child is going to risk a problem with status asthmaticus and forfeit the match and heading to the ER.
Primarily parents and wrestlers are aware of those that like to do their inhalers in the third period and it is "noticed" among the wrestling family.
Rictoria Bober RN,MSN,CCRN
Labette Community College
Maternal-Child/Pediatrics Educator
