What kind of exercise is suitable for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)? Medical revelation: 3 types of exercise improve patients' quality of life

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic disease that affects breathing and poses serious challenges to patients' daily lives. Experts point out that moderate exercise can significantly improve patients' physical and mental health and enhance their quality of life.

Benefits of moderate exercise

Exercise has multiple benefits. According to the American Lung Association (ALA), moderate exercise can help improve:

1. Oxygen Utilization Efficiency

2. Cardiovascular Health

3. Muscle Strength

4. Anxiety, Stress and Depression

5. Sleep Quality and Self-Esteem

6. Reduce shortness of breath

Experts recommend that COPD patients can start with moderate exercise for 20 to 30 minutes, 3 to 4 times a week, and gradually increase the amount of exercise. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), moderate exercises are those that burn 3.5-7 calories per minute and include brisk walking, bicycling and gardening.

Suitable exercises for people with COPD

Li Mingan, attending physician of the Department of Thoracic Medicine at the Zhongxing Branch of Taipei Municipal United Hospital, recommends the following types of exercise for COPD patients:

1. Aerobic exercise: such as walking, swimming, cycling, etc., which helps cardiopulmonary function and oxygen utilization efficiency.

2. Resistance training: Use lightweight equipment or elastic bands to strengthen muscles, including those that help with breathing.

3. Stretching exercises: Improve flexibility and help the body and mind relax. It is a good choice for warming up before exercise and relaxing after exercise.

In addition, Tai Chi and yoga, which combine breathing control with light exercise, are also good choices. Both are low-intensity forms of exercise. Tai Chi focuses on slow movements and breathing, which causes minimal stress on muscles. Yoga focuses on breathing and gentle movements. It includes breathing techniques and body postures that benefit both physical and mental health.

Two breathing exercises

Breathing exercises can help improve diaphragm function, increase oxygen absorption efficiency, and reduce shortness of breath. Li Mingan recommends two exercises including:

1. Pursed lip breathing: prolong the exhalation time and improve airflow efficiency.

2. Abdominal breathing: strengthen the use of the diaphragm and reduce pressure on the chest and shoulders. You can breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth for two to three times longer, doing diaphragmatic breathing.

Abdominal breathing: strengthens the use of the diaphragm and reduces pressure on the chest and shoulders. You can breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth for two to three times longer, doing diaphragmatic breathing.

Dr. Li Mingan reminds that COPD patients need to pay special attention to their physical condition when exercising, especially closely monitor their heart rate (some COPD patients have comorbid atrial fibrillation and tachycardia), do not exercise in extreme weather or high humidity environments, and choose more indoor activities such as walking in a shopping mall. If you have chest pain, dizziness or other discomfort symptoms, you should stop exercising immediately and seek medical attention.

Appropriate exercise is not an unattainable dream for COPD patients, but a key step to improving health and enhancing quality of life. Li Mingan recommends that patients consult a doctor or respiratory therapist before starting any exercise program to tailor a safe and effective exercise plan for themselves.