Corporate Fitness and Active Aging

November marks COPD Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a condition affecting millions worldwide. COPD is a chronic lung disease that makes it hard for air to move in and out of the lungs, making it hard to breathe. With COPD, everyday tasks can feel challenging, leaving many breathless and less motivated to stay active. While COPD is irreversible, regular exercise can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

How Exercise Helps People with COPD

You might wonder, "How can exercise help me when breathing itself is already hard?", and that is a valid question! But here’s why exercise is essential for COPD management:

1. Improved Oxygen Efficiency
   Aerobic exercises (like walking, swimming, and cycling) help your body use oxygen more efficiently. The COPD Foundation states that although exercise won't increase lung capacity, it will strengthen the cardiovascular system and muscles, helping reduce shortness of breath and making daily activities easier.
2. Stronger Breathing Muscles
   Exercise strengthens the muscles you use for breathing, including the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles. With stronger muscles, your body doesn’t have to work as hard to draw in oxygen, making breathing less of a strain (American Lung Association).
3. Increased Endurance
   Regular aerobic and strength training exercises can boost your stamina, helping you perform tasks like walking, climbing stairs, or doing household chores with less fatigue. Over time, you'll find that you're able to exercise longer without feeling out of breath.

Top Exercises for COPD

• Aerobic Exercise
  Swimming, walking and biking are great ways to improve your cardiovascular health and reduce the strain on your lungs.
• Strength Training
  Resistance exercises (using light weights, resistance bands, or bodyweight exercises) help build muscle strength, which make daily activities easier, and improve posture which can also help to make breathing easier.
• Breathing Exercises
  Practicing breathing exercises and can help reduce shortness of breath and improve your exercise tolerance. These exercises slow down your breathing and make it easier to exhale fully (American Lung Association).

While exercise is beneficial, it's important to exercise safely. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Consult with a healthcare professional before starting any exercise program, especially if you have severe COPD or other health conditions.
• Start slow and gradually increase the intensity.
• Use your prescribed medications.
• Stay hydrated and avoid exercising in extreme weather conditions like high heat or cold, which can aggravate COPD symptoms.

Living with COPD can feel challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. NIFS group fitness classes offer a variety of ways to help you stay active safely and effectively, with options designed to strengthen your body, improve your endurance, and help you breathe easier. Join us to discover a supportive environment where you can manage your health and find renewed energy for the things you enjoy. Start your journey to better breathing and a fuller life today—let NIFS help you take that first step.

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is a disease that makes it hard to breathe and, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), gets worse over time. COPD is also known as Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema, a progressive disease that produces large amounts of mucus and causes shortness of breath. The disease is most commonly caused by cigarette smoking. However, according to the NHLBI, up to 25% of those with COPD never smoked. They also say that long term exposure to other lung irritants like air pollution, dusts, and chemical fumes may contribute to the severity of COPD.  Although it is progressive and undoubtedly affects one’s quality of life, there are effective ways to prevent or manage this disease. 

According to the Mayo Clinic, preventing COPD is simple, “The majority of cases are directly related to cigarette smoking, and the best way to prevent COPD is to never smoke or to stop smoking now.” Tobacco cessation is notoriously difficult, and the Mayo Clinic recommends a structured tobacco cessation program for best results. Furthermore, those individuals exposed to chemicals at work should discuss any health and safety concerns with their supervisors. 

Beyond this clear path of prevention lies a not-so-clear area, disease management and living an active lifestyle with COPD. For many patients, Pulmonary Rehabilitation is an important aspect of the treatment plan. This rehabilitation describes a program that can assist the patient with techniques to help them breathe easier, and exercise regiment, education about the condition and counseling. Exercise is a key element of this rehabilitation and management process. Some of the benefits of exercise for those with COPD are; improved circulation, increased energy levels, and more efficient oxygen consumption. Given the nature of COPD as a pulmonary disease, the most impactful form of exercise is aerobic. With that said, stretching and strength training are also important for a healthy, balanced kinetic system. Breathing patterns are important for all individuals, but they are vital for COPD patients.

Before starting an exercise program, individuals should consult with their primary healthcare provider. For individuals with COPD, a deeper conversation may be required. Patients should consider how often they should exercise, how long they should exercise, and what types of exercise they should perform. Patients should also review the timing of their medications with their physician before starting their exercise sessions. Through exercise, a better quality of life is possible for individuals living with COPD and that’s a breath of fresh air!