Recommendations for sports in chronic obstructive pneumopathy (COPD)
Swenson, E.R.
Therapeutische Umschau. Revue Therapeutique 55(4): 240-245
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0040-5930 PMID: 9610224 Document Number: 489426
Although exercise tolerance can be quite limited in patients with COPD due to dyspnea, arterial desaturation, chronic disuse muscular atrophy, and fear of distressing symptoms, regular daily exercise is an important part of optimal disease management. Patients can be provided with simple exercise instructions tailored to their physiological impairment and recreational interests. The benefits of regular exercise observed even in the most severely obstructed patients include desensitization to dyspnea, increased exercise tolerance, improved capacity for daily activities, greater self esteem and independence, and reduced rates of hospitalization. These benefits of exercise training in COPD are best realized within a multidisciplinary program of supervised pulmonary rehabilitation, that also incorporates education about COPD, proper use of medications and oxygen, and psychosocial counseling.