Exercising with COPD can improve breathing and reduce some of your symptoms.
Many people find joining a walking or singing group helpful. Others find physiotherapy, tai chi or yoga can help their fitness and breathing.
When you have COPD you may become less active to avoid getting breathless. This results in loss of fitness and confidence, which in turn increases your breathlessness. Breathlessness itself isn’t dangerous. It’s a normal response to exertion. Having COPD means this response can happen more quickly and is simply the lungs working harder to get more oxygen into your body.
You should exercise as much as you can, however limited that may be, twice a day. Even chair-bound people can do some arm and upper-body movements. You can improve your fitness and mobility by trying some simple exercises in the home.
Remember to ask a healthcare professional for advice before attempting any exercise.
Exercising while on oxygen
If you’re on oxygen treatment, some exercises may not be suitable for you. But you can still do some exercises while on oxygen. Remember to ask a healthcare professional for advice before attempting any exercise.
You may find it helpful to use longer tubing on your oxygen tank for more freedom to move around when exercising.
When not to exercise
If you experience any of the following symptoms you should stop exercising immediately:
- coughing up unusual fluids
- worsening shortness of breath
- chest pains
- feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- too fast or an irregular heartbeat
