HOW TO HELP EXERCISE FOR LUNGS

Lunges,

  challenging your balance,  an essential part of a well-rounded exercise routine.

 Lunges do just that, promoting functional movement while also increasing strength in your legs and glutes.

 Start with your feet shoulder-width apart and arms down at your sides.

 Take a step forward with your right leg and bend your right knee.

 Ensure your right knee doesn't extend beyond your right foot.

 Push up your right foot and return to the starting position.

 Repeat with your left leg.

 This is one rep.

 Complete 3 sets of 10 reps.

    Why Breathing Exercises help When you have healthy lungs, breathing is natural and easy.

 You breathe in and out with your diaphragm to fill your lungs with a mixture of oxygen and other gases, and then send out the waste gas.

 Mark Courtney compares the process to a screen door with a spring, opening and closing on its own.

 Our lungs are springy, like the door.

 Over time, though, with asthma and especially with COPD, our lungs lose that springiness.

 They don't return to the same level when you start breathing, and air gets trapped in our lungs.

 Over time, stale air builds up, leaving less space for the diaphragm to contract and bring in fresh oxygen.

 With the diaphragm not working to full capacity, the body starts to use other muscles in the neck, back and chest for breathing.

 This translates to lower oxygen levels, and less reserve for exercise and activity.

 If practiced regularly, breathing exercises can help rid the lungs of accumulated stale air, increase oxygen levels and get the diaphragm to return to its job of helping you breathe. Exercising with lung, disease People living with lung disease can and should get regular exercise for all the same reasons as everybody else.

 Your lungs and heart are stronger, you are better able to perform the tasks of daily life, and  you feel better in mind and body.

 But if you already have a short breath, it can be intimidating to think about increasing your physical activity.

 It is important to work with your healthcare team to make a fitness plan that works for you.

 If you want to learn more about staying active with lung disease, check out the links below.

 Pulmonary Rehabilitation Physical Activity and COPD Physical Activity and Lung Cancer Physical Activity and Pulmonary Fibrosis. What type of exercise do you do and how much?

 National guidelines recommend that all adults get 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week.

 It doesn't need to be a formal exercise program to be useful.

 Some examples of moderate activity include walking briskly, recreational bicycling, gardening and vigorous housecleaning.

 Both aerobic activities and muscle-strengthening activities can benefit your lungs.

 Aerobic activities like walking, running or jumping rope give your heart and lungs the kind of exercise they need to function efficiently.

 Muscle-strengthening activities like weight-lifting or Pilates build muscle strength, improve your posture, and tones your breathing muscles.

 Breathing exercises in particular can strengthen your diaphragm and train your body to breathe more deeply and more effectively.Some things to keep in mind Before you start or modify your exercise regimen.

 This is especially important when you have an underlying health condition.

 Avoid exercising outdoors when pollution levels are high.

 When the air is bad, walk indoors in a shopping mall or gym or use an exercise machine.

 Limit the amount of time your child spends outdoors if the air quality is bad.