Living Life With COPD
An exercise program for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients supervised by an accredited KinesiologistPhases of the COPD ConnEx program
1
Induction Phase
The induction phase will last 12 weeks, and sessions will occur once per week. The goal of this phase is to introduce safe, effective and functional movement, while understanding your limits and possibilities. Also, to help you develop a positive relationship with activity, introduce useful breathing techniques, affirm commitment to and confidence in a healthy lifestyle.
2
Maintenance Phase
The maintenance phase will last 6 months, and sessions will occur twice per month. The goal of this phase is to continue to help you improve strength and endurance, introduce you to community resources, and ensure you adopt an independent and healthy routine.
3
Independence Phase
The independence phase will last 3 months, and sessions will occur once per month. This phase will involve 3 monthly check-ins to ensure you are adhering to a positive and healthy lifestyle.
What is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)?
COPD is a common, preventable and treatable condition. People with COPD have changes in their airways and lungs that result in persistent airflow limitation. That is, it is hard for people with COPD to blow air out of their lungs. These changes may be due to increased inflammation and mucus in the airways, which is termed chronic bronchitis, and/or they may be due to damage of the lung air sacs (alveoli), which is termed emphysema.
For some people, chronic bronchitis or emphysema may accurately describe their condition, and their healthcare professionals may even use the terms interchangeably with COPD. Often, it is a combination of both terms that accurately describes COPD. Some people may also experience the condition differently due to other changes to their lungs or airways. COPD will present differently from one person to the next, and everyone will therefore have a different experience of the disease.
Why is exercise important in COPD?
Being motivated and seeking advice on lifestyle and behaviour change is crucial to a successful exercise program. Including and targeting the following concerns in an exercise program can help enhance self-efficacy during, and improve one’s ability to participate in, activities of daily living.
- Stability and fall prevention
- Proprioception and co-ordination
- Functional training for household chores
- Agility training
- Posture training (to reduce breathlessness)
Topics covered in the 3-Phase COPD ConnEx program
- Pursed lip breathing during exercise
- Posture training
- Preventing your COPD symptoms
- Breaking the anxiety-breathlessness cycle
- Energy conservation principles
- The "Healthy Plate" and potential problems to eating right
- Stability and fall prevention
- Proprioception and barefoot training
- Co-ordination
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