Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is a condition that can make it hard to breathe, so you may think that engaging in activities that make you breathe harder is a bad idea. But, exercising can help you become healthier overall and may even prevent the onset of COPD. If you’re thinking about starting an activity like wrestling, you should check with your doctor to determine whether you can safely participate, but the general rule of thumb is that any exercise can help to prevent the onset of breathing problems associated with the condition.
What is COPD?
COPD is an umbrella term for problems that cause an obstruction in the passages of your lungs, making it hard to breathe. The two primary conditions that make up COPD are chronic bronchitis and emphysema, but COPD is often a combination of the two. Chronic bronchitis is an inflammation in your lungs that results in a persistent cough accompanied by large amounts of mucus. This mucus results from an irritation to the hair-like cilia in your lungs that help to trap and remove foreign matter from the air you breathe. Emphysema is a condition that results in a loss of elasticity in the sacs that expand when you inhale. Both of these conditions are permanent and can be life-threatening, but you can avoid them by not smoking and staying healthy through regular exercise.
Exercise Can Help
According to the Canadian Lung Association, a program of regular exercise that begins at a young age can help to prevent the onset of COPD by keeping you active and helping you build the foundations for a lifetime of healthy living. Keeping your heart and lungs healthy allows you to use oxygen more efficiently, meaning that your lungs don’t have to work as hard. Exercise also helps to decrease shortness of breath while increasing cardiovascular function, meaning that you don't have to breathe as hard to deliver oxygen to your system.
Wrestling and COPD
Wrestling combines the need for strong muscles and bones with the necessity to be able to perform at a high level of activity for several minutes at a time. This makes both aerobic and resistance training necessary in order to compete at a high level. Starting at a young age can help you to utilize oxygen efficiently and can help to prevent the onset of the symptoms of COPD and lead to a healthier lifestyle that lasts long after the buzzer has sounded.
Types of Exercise and COPD
The exercises that improve overall health are also beneficial for COPD, according to the Canadian Lung Association. Stretching exercises help to relax your muscles and make them more flexible, aerobic exercise improves the functioning of your heart and lungs, and resistance training helps to keep your bones and muscles strong. Since all of these are necessary in order to be competitive on the wrestling mat, the sport can be a good activity for young people diagnosed with COPD.
