Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) & Exercise

What is COPD?

In Australia approximately 1.4 million Australians have some form of COPD and 14% of all deaths in 2011 in Australia were caused by this disease. The problem with clients is that this disease destroys your lungs and the air sacs inside them which causes shortness of breath and chest pains to occur.

Despite there being no cure, COPD is treatable and largely preventable with the majority of changes occurring with lifestyle alterations.

The most common cause of COPD is cigarette smoking; other risk factors include pro-longed exposure to dust or indoor/outdoor pollution and age.

The main symptoms of COPD include breathlessness, cough which is generally worse in the morning and sputum production which is common in smokers. Things like fatigue, poor appetite, decreased exercise capacity and reduced quality of life (QOL) are common when the disease is progressed.

How does Exercise help?

Although the client may feel breathlessness, COPD patients are capable of exercise. However the EP will modify your program and monitor your state during the entire exercise duration to ensure your safety.

The exercise at any level will almost certainly improve your current state of the disease. In the table below it outlines the benefits of exercise.

Exercise Increases

Energy levels
Muscle strength and endurance
Ability to sleep and relax
Bone density
Immune Strength
Self-confidence

Exercise Decreases

Breathlessness or any sensation of this
Ventilatory requirement at given work intensity
Hyperinflation (Too much air in lungs)
Blood pressure
Risk factors of heart and other diseases
Depression and anxiety

Exercise Physiology will benefit you

Exercise Physiology in Melbourne with an accredited exercise physiologist (AEP). Accreditation as an exercise physiologist is the mark of an experienced and qualified health professional who knows exactly how to help treat clients that suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and a range of other conditions.

Our experienced and skillful Exercise Physiologists at Moonee Valley Health and Fitness achieve the best results possible for our clients by adopting a holistic approach to rehabilitation. Your exercise physiologist will combine clinical exercise prescription with appropriate lifestyle advice to help you regain your quality of life and have you back doing the things you love.

We assist you to achieve and sustain positive health and lifestyle changes through specialist exercise interventions. Our team of Accredited Exercise Physiologists specialise in delivering structured and personalised exercise sessions. The aims of our interventions are to prevent acute or manage subacute or chronic disease or injury, and assist in restoring your optimal physical function, health or wellness.