Moving Forward: Why Exercise is Beneficial for Patients with COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is often misunderstood-especially when it comes to exercise. A common myth is that people living with COPD should avoid physical activity altogether. In reality, the opposite is true: when done safely and appropriately, exercise is not only possible, but highly beneficial in improving and maintaining activity levels and overall quality of life.

COPD is a progressive lung disease that includes conditions such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. It affects airflow, making it difficult to breathe and often leading to symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, and reduced stamina. The disease is categorized into four stages based on lung function, according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD). Stage one is mild and may be barely noticeable. Stage two is moderate and begins to impact daily activities. Stage three is severe, often limiting a person's willingness to leave home, while stage four is very severe, where individuals may become largely housebound. These stages are determined based on values obtained through pulmonary function testing, which measures how well the lungs are working.

While COPD cannot be cured, it can be managed-and in many cases, patients can improve their quality of life significantly. According to Mark Zaleskiewicz, MS, FAACVPR, a Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist at Shore Medical Center with more than 37 years of experience, exercise plays a crucial role in that management.

"Exercise is recommended for patients with COPD by most major professional organizations," Zaleskiewicz explains. This includes the American Thoracic Society (ATS), the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR), the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), and the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST), all of which support exercise as a key component of COPD care.

The key is understanding that exercise doesn't have to be intense to be effective. For individuals with COPD, light to moderate activity-such as walking, using a stationary bike, or light strength training-can help improve endurance and reduce symptoms. Even short bursts of activity add up. "Exercise is cumulative," Zaleskiewicz notes. "If you do 10 minutes in the morning, 10 minutes in the afternoon, and 10 minutes later in the day, that's 30 minutes total."

Exercise is important for all four stages of COPD. For those in moderate to severe stages, supervised programs like pulmonary rehabilitation are especially important. Shore Medical Center's Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center helps patients regain control over their health by bridging the gap between illness and wellness. The program integrates monitored exercise with education, nutritional counseling, and physical guidance to support overall quality of life improvement.

Participants typically attend sessions two to three times per week, gradually building toward about 45 minutes of aerobic activity per visit. Along the way, they learn how to breathe more effectively, better understand their medications, and improve overall well-being.

Zaleskiewicz adds, "Patients who have 'graduated' our program report significant improvements in activity levels, decreased episodes of significant shortness of breath, better ability to 'control' shortness of breath decreased exacerbations and hospitalizations, enhance quality of life. They become more confident and less isolated."

The bottom line: COPD does not mean giving up movement. With the right guidance, exercise can slow disease progression, enhance daily function, improve overall quality of life and restore a sense of independence, proving that this common myth couldn't be further from the truth.

The Shore Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center is located on the first floor at 710 Centre Street in Somers Point, across from Shore Medical Center. The facility is open Monday through Friday and offers convenient, free parking just steps from the entrance. For more information, call 609-653-4677.