Pulmonary disease is a debilitating disorder that limits functionality. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is composed primarily of three related conditions: bronchitis, asthma and emphysema. Symptoms of pulmonary disease are shortness of breath, frequent respiratory infections and chronic cough production. Structured resistance exercise can help quell symptoms of pulmonary disease. Each training session should be supervised to allow appropriate modifications to intensity, duration and frequency.
Intensity
Most individuals with pulmonary disease are deconditioned. Resistance training should be performed at a light to moderate intensity for beginners. One to two sets of each exercise is ideal, with a high number of repetitions within each set. Light resistance will be necessary to reach a rep range of 15 to 18, increasing muscle endurance and breathing patterns. Allow a minimum of 1 minute of rest between sets and exercises.
Duration
A realistic time frame for pulmonary patients to exercise under is 20 to 30 minutes. This amount of continuous activity may even be too much, and you might have to break up the session into two 15-minute intervals. Intermittent exercise may be the only format that will prevent dyspnea, or shortness of breath, a main pulmonary disease symptom.
Frequency
Engage in resistance exercise two to three non-consecutive days a week; two days a week might be all some beginners can handle at first. Exercise on non-consecutive days because of the need for proper recovery; sufficient rest is needed to maximize resistance training benefits. A recommended three-day resistance training schedule is Monday, Wednesday and Friday. A common two-day regimen would be Monday and Thursday.
Mode
Light dumbbells and variable resistance machines are both appropriate modes of strengthening. Make sure pulmonary patients are put in the safest position to succeed. One- or 2-lb. dumbbells are easily controlled from many different body planes. Variable resistance machines, such as Nautilus or CBX, isolate muscles areas from a stabilized platform. Nautilus or CBX machines provide an adjustable yet constant path of resistance.
Target Muscles
Resistance training involving the upper body should be of vital importance for exercisers with pulmonary disease. Arm and shoulder movements will boost lung capacity and oxygenation control. Dumbbell biceps curls, triceps press-downs and machine shoulder presses should be at the center of your pulmonary resistance program. These exercises will be part of a full-body resistance plan; hitting every muscle group gives pulmonary exercisers a balance in muscle development.
References
- "ACSM's Resource Manual for Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription"; ACSM; 2009
- "Sport and Exercise Medicine (Lung Biology in Health and Disease)"; Stephen C. Wood, Robert C. Roach; 1994
Member Comments