According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, exercise helps people with cystic fibrosis improve their fitness, decrease the rate of lung function decline and increase their self-esteem and confidence. Although almost all people with cystic fibrosis can exercise safely, people with lung infections, cor pulmonale or pulmonary hypertension should avoid physical exertion.
Aerobic Exercise
Parents should encourage children and teens with cystic fibrosis to participate in a wide variety of aerobic activities, according to Cystic Fibrosis Worldwide. Activities such as swimming, hockey, basketball, soccer, dancing and martial arts benefit kids with cystic fibrosis. More intense activities, such as trampoline jumping, help clear mucus from the lungs; your child's physical therapist may recommend regular bouncing before you perform chest clearance techniques. Adults with cystic fibrosis whose lung function is at least 55 percent of normal function can perform aerobic exercises, according to Cystic Fibrosis Worldwide. People with cystic fibrosis need to use caution when exercising during hot and humid weather; ask your physical therapist if you need to replace salts or electrolytes during exercise with sodium tablets or electrolyte replacement drinks.
Breathing Exercises
People with cystic fibrosis should practice diaphragmatic breathing regularly to prevent the lungs from trapping air. To practice these exercises, stand in front of a mirror while you breathe in. If you are breathing properly, only the muscle between your muscle and belly called the diaphragm should move in and out, according to the Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. A physical therapist may recommend you do breathing exercises to improve your technique.
Bronchial Drainage Exercises
People with cystic fibrosis may also need bronchial drainage exercises to clear mucus from the lungs. In one type of bronchial drainage called postural drainage and percussion, or PD & D, a partner, parent or physical therapist helps with these exercises in sessions of 20 to 40 minutes. First, the person gets in a position so that the area that requires drainage is the highest position on the person's body. Then the caregiver rhythmically claps the chest of the person with cystic fibrosis and vibrates the chest with the hand to loosen mucus trapped in the respiratory system. The person with cystic fibrosis breathes deeply and coughs forcefully, trying to force the mucus out of the lungs. The caregiver may perform these exercises on several different areas of the chest and back to encourage airway clearing, according to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
