World COPD Day aims to reduce the burden of COPD worldwide through discussion, raising awareness and sharing knowledge.
What is COPD?
Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD) is a generic term for a group of progressive lung conditions which include Chronic Bronchitis, Chronic Asthma and Emphysema. COPD currently is an incurable disease and progresses over time. On a pathophysiological level COPD initiates through narrowing of the bronchial tubes otherwise known as bronchioles or bronchi leading individuals living with the condition to experience difficulties with breathing.
What are the modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for COPD?
Modifiable risk factors include:
- Tobacco Smoke (smoking and or second-hand smoking).
- Environmental factors such as (Workplace exposure to dust or fumes).
Non-Modifiable risk factors include:
- Genetics Factors (a minor number of individuals living with have a form of emphysema due to a protein disorder called AATD).
- Developmental and lung growth factors.
COPD statistics within Australia
Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) suggest around 638,000 million people in Australia live with COPD. The prevalence of COPD was similar between men and women (2.4% and 2.6%) however for those aged 75 years or over, COPD had greater prevalence in men compared to women (8.3% and 5.4%). The ABS found the prevalence of COPD was higher in low socioeconomic areas (4.7%) compared to high socioeconomic areas (1.5%).
Benefits of Physical Activity for COPD
- Improves individuals living with COPD ability to complete activities of daily living.
- Reduction in hospitalisations associated with COPD.
- Improves global strength and conditioning.
- Helps reduce and clear sputum from the lungs (otherwise known as phlegm or mucus).
- Can elicit reductions in breathlessness.
- Improves psychological wellbeing.
Physical Activity Recommendations for COPD
American College of Sport’s Medicine (ACSM) recommends individuals living with COPD to complete various modalities of physical activity including aerobic, resistance and flexibility exercises.
Aerobic:
- Frequency: minimum 3 x per week.
- Intensity: Moderate-Vigorous (monitored through Borg Scale).
- Time: 20-60 minutes (exercise below 20 minutes can be interspersed with intermittent rest).
- Type: Walking, Cycling or Hand Cycle.
Resistance:
- Frequency: 2 x per week.
- Intensity: based off 1RM.
- Time: 8-20 repetitions depending on goals.
- Type: Fixed machines, bodyweight, or free weighted exercises.
Flexibility:
- Frequency: 2-3 x per week.
- Intensity: as tolerated.
- Time: 10-30 second hold, 2-4 repetitions.
- Type: Dynamic, Static or PNF.
How can Uplift Exercise Physiology help?
It is important to speak with a health care professional such as an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) prior to engaging in an exercise program. An AEP can individually tailor an exercise program to each individual needs which can play a role in the management of COPD and empower them to manage their condition.
Written by Uplift Exercise Physiologist, Annalise Norton
References
- Overview – chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2024) Lung Foundation Australia. Click here
- Chronic respiratory conditions: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – Australian institute of health and welfare (n.d). Click here
- Exercising with a lung condition (2022) Lung Foundation Australia. Click here
- Gary Ligouri et.al., ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription Eleventh Edition (2021).
