Staying Fit with Lung Conditions (ACE)

I read this on the American Council on Exercise (ACE) Get Fit:

Staying Fit with Lung Conditions

Years ago, people with lung conditions were advised to take it easy, 

and sit out of strenuous activities. Thanks to medical research, those 

days are over.

Breathing easily is something that most people take for granted. But 

when you’re living with a lung condition, such as asthma, chronic

 obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or restrictive lung disease, 

breathing is something you’re always aware of, and shortness of 

breath may be a fact of life. But exercise can help.

Boost Fitness, Breathe Easier

Regular exercise won’t heal the underlying lung disease or improve lung 

function, but it reduces shortness of breath and improves your ability

 to perform everyday activities. At the same time, regular exercise reduces 

your risk of other serious conditions, such as diabetes, osteoporosis, and 

heart disease. People with lung conditions are 

often sedentary due 

to shortness of breath with activity. But a 

sedentary lifestyle results

 in loss of cardiovascular fitness and 

muscular strength, which in

turn worsens shortness of breath—it’s 

a vicious cycle. Breaking that

cycle with fitness training helps 

the body work more efficiently and 

helps you make better use of the oxygen

 taken in with each breath. 

This, in turn, leads to less shortness

 of breath. Regular exercise 

also helps reduce anxiety and depression, conditions that 

often accompany lung disease.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation is a terrific program 

for people with lung conditions. Under the supervision 

of nurses and exercise physiologists, you’ll perform 

cardiovascular, strength, and flexibility exercise as well as 

respiratory muscle training. The staff closely monitors 

symptoms, changes in medication and responses to exercise

 to make sure that your progress is steady and that all prescribed

 exercise is safe and effective for you. They also stay in touch

 with your health care providers to ensure the best care possible. 

Educational classes are a key part of pulmonary rehabilitation, 

where patients and their family members learn about 

medications, breathing techniques, managing symptoms, 

oxygen therapy, energy conservation and work simplification.

 Social support is another element of the program. You get to know

 others who are dealing with similar challenges. If you’re interested 

in pulmonary rehabilitation, ask your health care provider for

 a referral. These programs are usually offered in a hospital or clinical

 setting and are often covered by medical insurance.

Get Up and Get Active

If your lung condition is less severe and you just want to become 

more active, talk with your health care provider about what exercises 

are best for you and how to coordinate medication with your exercise

 schedule.

People with asthma, for example, often need a dose of inhaled 

Albuterol prior to strenuous exercise to keep the airways open. 

Swimming and other water activities are good choices for people

 with asthma, because of the moisture in the air and walking is 

a safe and effective exercise for many.

Be Active, Enjoy Life

Having a lung condition doesn’t mean you have to live life on 

the sidelines.

In fact, there are many Olympic athletes with asthma. Competing 

on a world stage may not be your goal, but being fit and active 

may mean you can climb stairs, go shopping, and play with your

 kid or grandkids without excessive shortness of breath. Regular 

exercise can help you get the most out of life—now and in the 

years to come.

Reference: http://www.acefitness.org/fitfacts/fitfacts_display.aspx?itemid=3181&category=4 for more info.