Many seniors live with some form of lung condition, including asthma, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which affects 11-18% of people over 65 and is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. While many may find it challenging to stay active with a lung condition, it’s crucial for your health. The right amount and type of exercise have many benefits that can help improve your quality of life. Let’s explore how to stay active with a lung condition.

Lung-Friendly Exercises

The American Lung Association recommends that people with lung conditions like COPD engage in 20 to 30 minutes of moderate exercise three to four days a week. Certain exercises are more suitable for individuals with lung conditions.

Your doctor may recommend physical activity to build stamina and improve shortness of breath. As always, talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise routine, and discuss what exercise types and frequency are right for you.

1. Breathing exercises

Before beginning any physical activity, it’s beneficial to start with some breathing exercises to prepare your body and make physical exertion more comfortable. Breathing exercises can also help strengthen your respiratory muscles and help train your lungs to work more efficiently. Try these breathing exercises recommended by the American Lung Association, including pursed lip breathing and belly breathing.

2. Aerobic exercises

Engaging in regular aerobic exercise, such as walking, biking, jumping rope, or swimming, has numerous benefits for both your heart and lungs. This type of exercise helps your body use oxygen more efficiently, leading to improved overall health. Aim to incorporate aerobic activities into your routine for approximately 30 minutes a few times per week to experience these benefits.

3. Strength training exercises

Strength and weight training can significantly benefit seniors with lung conditions by improving overall muscle strength and endurance, making daily activities less taxing on the respiratory system. Additionally, maintaining a healthy weight through strength training decreases the workload on the lungs, while increased bone density lowers the risk of fractures. Strength training also reduces the risk of developing other chronic conditions, like diabetes and heart disease, that could worsen lung problems.

Physical Activity Tips

Now that you know which lung-friendly exercises to incorporate into your routine, let’s explore a few general tips for staying active with a lung condition.

• Start slowly. Begin with a few minutes each day and increase your exercise duration as you’re able over time.
• When exercising outdoors, it’s important to avoid extreme temperatures and pay attention to air quality. Stay inside if it’s too hot or cold or the air quality is bad!
• If you use supplemental oxygen, exercise with it. Your flow rate for physical activity will be different than your flow rate when you are resting, so make sure you talk to your doctor before beginning a new exercise routine. 
• Listen to your body – if you start to feel short of breath, stop and sit down.
• If you use an inhaler, make sure to have it near or with you when exercising.
• Drink plenty of water before, during, and after exercise to stay hydrated, as dehydration can affect lung function.
• Consider joining a pulmonary rehabilitation program that offers supervised exercise, education, and support for people with lung conditions.