ABSTRACT Introduction Children who are more active enjoy sports, have confidence in their ability to engage in physical activity, feel competent and perceive fewer barriers to physical activity. Objective Psychosocially characterize the asthmatic child’s relationship with enjoyable physical activity, physical self-concept, health and perceived quality of life. Method Eighty asthmatic children (age = 11.33 ± 1.10 years, body mass index [BMI] = 20.52 ± 3.83 kg/m2) and 80 healthy children (age = 11.18 ± 1.00 years, BMI = 20.81 ± 4.24 kg/m2) participated in the study. The Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES), Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C), the Physical Self-concept Questionnaire (CAF) and the Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ) were used. Results In the PACES questionnaire, healthy children had a better level of general physical activity while in the CAF questionnaire, significant differences were found in ability, physical fitness and general self-concept, which were higher in healthy children. There is a significant correlation between the PAQ-C and ability, general physical self-concept, PACES and total PAQLQ in asthmatic children. Conclusion Asthmatic children had lower levels of physical activity, physical self-concept and enjoyment in physical activity than healthy children. Level of evidence II; Retrospective study.