Last week, the Wall Street Journal published an article detailing the powerful benefits of staying physically active/fit in middle-age. The article titled, "Want to See 85? Get A Move On," highlighted that people who stay physically active/fit during their fifties double their chances of reaching the age of 85 compared people who are sedentary. You can view the full text of the article by clicking here.
Though the article focused on a cross-section of average U.S. adults (meaning they didn't just focus on COPD patients and smokers), we found one other eye-opening tidbit from the article that might interest COPD patients and current smokers - staying physically active/fit during middle-ages provided more health longevity benefits than smoking cessation.
Those of you who have purchased our Breathe Better for Life guide/CD, and those who read our blog and our e-letters know already we are strong advocates for beginning and maintaining an ongoing exercise program. For people with COPD and current/former smokers, following a program based on the practices and principles of pulmonary rehabilitation is strongly advised given that your conditioning starting point is not the same as the average middle-aged adult. In addition, it is advisable for people with COPD (and in our opinion, current/former smokers who have yet to develop lung disease as well) to follow a program that reasonably builds aerobic endurance and muscle strength without triggering shortness of breath attacks.
To get started, ask your primary care physician or pulmonologist to suggest an exercise program that takes into account your current physical condition. If you are unable or unwilling to ask your doctor, consider visiting a local fitness center and talking to a personal trainer/fitness instructor who is certified in exercise training for those with chronic cardiovascular/respiratory conditions (there are such certified trainers). If you'd like to educate yourself more about exercise programs designed specifically for COPD patients and those who suffer from chronic shortness of breath, consider purchasing our Breathe Better for Life guide at http://www.breathebetterforlife.com/. Our exercise program recommendations are based on a combination of guidelines established by the American Thoracic Society, the European Respiratory Society and the American College of Sports Medicine for those with COPD and other chronic respiratory conditions (such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis).
Regardless of which option you choose, please consider increasing your level of physical activity - even if you just start a walking program of 20-30 minutes a day, 3-5 days a week, you will find you not only feel better but per the Wall Street Journal article, you'll increase the likelihood of living a longer life. As the author of the article concluded, "...heroics aren't necessary to get fit. In fact, studies suggest the biggest benefit from exercise occurs when people go from a sedentary lifestyle to getting regular moderate exercise. 'The biggest bang for your buck is just getting off the couch,' Dr. Berry says."
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