Prescripcionejercicio Epoc

Your Prescription for Health Series

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ExErCisiNg
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ChrONiC OBstruCtivE PulMONAry DisEAsE
Getting Started
While chronic obstructivepulmonary disease can make exercise more challenging, regular physical activity may actually improve your symptoms and make it easier to perform everyday tasks. In addition to reducing your risk ofdeveloping many other diseases, appropriate exercise can help you maintain a healthy body weight, reduce anxiety and stress, sleep better and feel more energized. The key is to determine what type ofexercise is best for you and to follow a program that accommodates your individual needs and concerns.
• Talk with your health care provider before starting an exercise program and ask for specificprogramming recommendations. • Take all medications as recommended by your physician. • The goals of your program should be to increase your cardiovascular fitness, become less sensitive to dyspnea, developmore efficient breathing patterns, and improve your ability to perform activities of daily living. • Choose activities that you enjoy such as walking, cycling, and swimming. Mind-body activities thatemphasize energy centering and balance, such as tai chi and yoga, also are recommended. • Start slowly and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts. You may need to start withfive- to 10-minute intervals or sessions. As your fitness improves, extend the length of the interval and/or shorten the rest period between intervals. Build up to 30-minute sessions, three or more daysper week. • Use the Ratings of Perceived Exertion scale rather than heart rate to measure your intensity, and adjust your workouts according to fluctuations in your symptoms.

Exercise Cautions
•Breathing efficiency can be improved by performing pursed lips and diaphragm breathing, both of which will slow the respiratory rate. If necessary, use oxygen therapy during exercise to prevent...