Exercises for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
How do I exercise for COPD?
Exercises for COPD are simple to do and take little time. They generally consist of aerobic exercises, which increase oxygen flow to your muscles, and upper and lower body exercises, which strengthen muscles.
Always consult with your health professional before starting any exercise program. People with COPD may have heart problems, such as CAD or high blood pressure, that limit exercise options. You may need medical supervision when you start your program.
If you become breathless while doing any of the exercises, rest in a position with your shoulders supported (such as in a chair) and wait until you can breathe easily again.
To get started with an exercise program:
- Talk to your health professional. He or she may ask that you do specific exercises and will help you determine how often and how long to do them and your long-term goals. Although it may take weeks before you are able to reach your goals, how long it takes is not as important as doing the exercises consistently.
- Start slowly and gradually. For each exercise, either time how long you can do it or count the number of times you can do it before you are mildly out of breath. Then rest and move on to the next exercise. Each week, increase the amount of time you do them or how many you do.
- Pick activities that you enjoy.
- Always have a warm-up and cool-down. This is a good time for stretches
.
- Pay attention to your breathing. Try to breathe slowly to save your breath. Breathe in through your nose, keeping your mouth closed. This warms and moisturizes the air you breathe. Breathe out through pursed lips.
The following examples are general exercises for people with COPD.
Aerobic exercises
Aerobic exercises increase the amount of oxygen that is delivered to your muscles, which allows them to work longer. This helps you do more activities for longer periods of time.
Any exercise that raises your heart rate and keeps it up for an extended period of time will improve your aerobic fitness. These exercises include walking, using a treadmill, cycling or using a stationary bicycle, swimming, and water aerobics.
Daily activities can also be aerobic: walking to work or to run errands, sweeping (perhaps to fast-paced music), playing actively with children, and walking your dog.
There is an easy way to determine whether your heart rate is at the right level during aerobic exercises:
- If you can't talk and exercise at the same time, you are exercising too hard.
- If you can talk while you exercise, you are doing fine.
- If you can sing while you exercise, you may not be exercising hard enough.
Talk to your health professional before starting aerobic exercise. He or she will help you determine how often and how long to exercise and your long-term goals.
Lower body exercises
Knee extensions, leg lifts, and step-ups develop lower body muscles and will help you move around more easily for longer periods of time.
Talk to your health professional before starting these exercises. He or she will help you determine how often and how long to do them and your long-term goals.
- Knee extensions
- Leg lifts
- Step-ups
Upper body exercises
Upper body exercises increase strength in arm and shoulder muscles, which provide support to the rib cage and can help improve breathing. They help in everyday tasks such as carrying groceries and doing housework.
Talk to your health professional before starting these exercises. He or she will help you determine how often and how long to do them and your long-term goals.
- Arm extensions
- Elbow circles
- Elbow breathing
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| Author: | Douglas Dana Robin Parks, MS | Last Updated: August 28, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | Renée M. Crichlow, MD - Family Medicine Tom Bailey, MD - Family Medicine Ken Y. Yoneda, MD - Pulmonology | |
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