Breathing difficulties may make people suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) feel they that can’t do all kinds of exercises. However, your doctor could encourage physical activity because it can improve shortness of breath as well as other COPD symptoms.
Inactivity, on the other hand, may cause a decline in cardiovascular function as well as muscle mass. Over time, you could find yourself more and more breathless every single time you exert yourself.
As a result, ordinary tasks such as cleaning the house or playing with your children may trigger coughing in addition to wheezing. This can disturb your quality of life, causing more and more sedentary behaviour, loss of independence in addition to even depression.
What Is COPD?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a condition which affects a person’s ability to breathe well. It’s often linked to other conditions such as emphysema as well as chronic bronchitis.
Symptoms of COPD include:
- Wheezing,
- Chest tightness,
- Shortness of breath, as well as
- Large amounts of mucus that collect in your lungs.
These can worsen with time; however practising breathing exercises can assist you to manage them. When you practise regularly, breathing exercises may help you to exert yourself less during day-to-day activities. They can also potentially aid in your return to exercising, which can lead to you feeling more energetic overall.
The Best COPD Exercises
Experts recommend regular, moderate exercise for people who are suffering from COPD. The best types of exercise for individuals with COPD include the following:
- Stretching
Stretching is relaxing and also improves flexibility. Dynamic stretching is a great way for a person to warm up before exercise. Static stretching is also a good way to cool down after exercise. A person should practise holding a gentle static stretch for approximately 10 to 30 seconds while slowly breathing. This needs to be repeated a good number of times.
- Aerobic Exercise
This type of exercise allows the body to utilise oxygen more efficiently. It is generally good for the lungs as well as heart. Swimming, walking, and cycling are great examples of aerobic exercise. A person suffering from COPD should aim to do aerobic exercise for about half an hour approximately five times a week.
- Resistance Training
This strengthens muscles, including those which assist with breathing. It often involves resistance bands and weights; however, a person can perform resistance training at home with only using bodyweight calisthenics exercises.
A person needs to repeat each exercise no more than 10 times and then add small amounts of weight as repetitions get easier. A doctor or respiratory therapist should offer guidance on a suitable resistance training programme.
It is often safe for a person with COPD to exercise, however they should not exercise if they:
- Have chest pain,
- Are out of oxygen,
- Have an infection or fever, as well as
- Feel nauseated
Physical and breathing exercises may benefit people who are suffering from COPD. They can improve anxiety, stress as well as depression, energy levels, cardiovascular health, muscle strength, oxygen use in addition to shortness of breath:
- The optimal physical exercises for COPD include stretching, aerobic exercise in addition to resistance training.
- The very best breathing exercises include pursed lip breathing as well as diaphragmatic breathing.
- Tai chi and yoga are also helpful and include physical and breathing exercises.
A person suffering from COPD should monitor their levels of exertion and keep exercise at a moderate level.
Contact Trifocus Fitness Academy
If you would like to learn more about exercise then you need to do our Personal Training Diploma. Read more about this course by following this link.
