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How can exercise help if you have lung problems?

The amount of air you need to breathe in depends on how active you are.

During exercise your breathing and heart rate increase. Even if you have modest goals you may need to double your lung intake when you exercise. Your lungs must be able to respond to your body's increased demands for oxygen.

"Through exercise you can train your body so that more oxygen is delivered to your muscles”

As you start to move about, the muscles in your body send messages to your brain that they need more oxygen to produce more energy. Your muscles use oxygen to break down glucose from your food to produce energy. Everyone can benefit from exercise to strengthen their lungs and muscles.

People with lung problems may find their lungs unable to provide enough oxygen for their muscles to perform even simple activities. When walking short distances their lungs may struggle to keep up.

Through exercise you can train your body so that more oxygen is delivered to your muscles.

Unfortunately, many people with long-term lung problems are afraid to exercise. This is partly because they are worried that being breathless may be harming them. This isn't true. By gradually building up the exercise you take, you can help to improve your breathing and feel better.

People with severe lung problems benefit a lot from even small amounts of exercise, and so it really is worth keeping as active as possible.

Begin slowly by doing arm and leg movements while you are sitting down. Then set yourself targets for walking about - from room to room, going to the front door, the bottom of the garden, down the road and so on. It's surprising how quickly you'll be able to do more.

www.lunguk.org

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Copyright © 2007 British Lung Foundation

This information has been provided by the British Lung Foundation, the nation’s lung charity that supports people affected by lung disease through the individual challenges they will face, helps people to understand their condition and works for positive change in lung health.

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