5 Benefits of Walking for People with COPD

Living with COPD might be challenging, as the damage to your lungs can cause shortness of breath and discomfort. Although it might be hard to breathe sometimes with COPD, that doesn’t mean you should quit being active.

There are many benefits to being active when you have COPD. Exercise might seem like a big challenge, but there are ways to be active with COPD while not overdoing it and getting exhausted. One form of exercise that isn’t too demanding is walking. If you have COPD, walking can allow you to be active, while also being delicate on your lungs.

Here are five benefits of walking for those with COPD:

1. It can improve overall health.

Did you know that a little bit of exercise can increase your overall health, not just decrease your COPD symptoms? Dr. Holland, a pulmonologist at Houston Methodist Hospital, said:

“Physical activity is important, as with all diseases, to improving health and quality of life. People used to think that if you have COPD, you shouldn’t be physically active. This reinforces that you should”.

2. You could lose weight.

Those with COPD should know the risks of being overweight, as additional pounds could worsen COPD symptoms. Being overweight could, also, make one less interested in exercise, which could make worsen overall health and outlook. Walking is a light exercise that can still help you burn calories which could decrease symptoms. If you’re going to start a walking program to lose weight while having COPD, the Cleveland Clinic offers some advice:

“Start with a short walk. See how far you can go before you become breathless. Stop and rest whenever you are short of breath.”

3. You might have fewer hospitalizations.

Another benefit of walking for those with COPD is the fact that you might have fewer hospitalizations. Dr. Cristobal Esteban said, “Patients who maintained a moderate or high level of exercise — which in most cases equated to a walking regimen — were hospitalized only 53 percent as often as those who didn’t walk regularly.” How much should you walk to decrease hospitalization? Data shows that 60 minutes per day or 5000 steps could decrease your hospitalization risk by around 50%.

4. It can support your immune system.

Since the immune system can suffer when you have COPD, it’s important to consider how to improve it. Walking is a great way to support your overall health, your lungs, and your immune system. Specifically, walking outside can bolster the immune system.

5. Your lungs can get stronger.

One concern for those living with COPD is the strength of their lungs. Besides supporting your immune system, walking outside can help your lungs get stronger: “According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, regular, brisk 30-minute walks increase lung capacity. This also strengthens the lungs. With increased lung capacity, you will breathe easier, and your lungs will stay healthier longer.”.

Although walking might seem like a simple way of getting exercise, this activity can decrease COPD symptoms and build lung strength. However, someone with COPD should be careful when starting a walking regimen. Before a walk, consider stretching: “Stretching the arms and legs before and after exercising helps prepare the muscles for activity and helps prevent injury and muscle strain.” You should also consult with your doctor to ensure walking is a safe activity for your health goals.

If you have COPD and need oxygen, consider a portable oxygen concentrator! Oxygen Concentrator Store sells several portable oxygen machines that can go with you on a walk or other activities.

The information on this page is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For more information talk to your doctor or primary care provider.

Date Updated: February 17, 2022
Date Published: March 22, 2019

_Sources:

• _{U.S. National Library of Medicine. Your lungs and exercise. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4818249/}
• _{WebMD. 2-Mile Daily Walk Might Help Fight COPD
  https://www.webmd.com/lung/copd/news/20140305/2-mile-daily-walk-might-help-fight-copd}
• _{Mayo Clinic. Can I lose weight if my only exercise is walking? https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/expert-answers/walking/faq-20058345}
• _{Cleveland Clinic. COPD: Exercise & Activity Guidelines. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9450-copd-exercise–activity-guidelines}
• _{U.S. National Library of Medicine. A Patient-Centered Walking Program for COPD. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5556960/}
• _{Lung Institute. A Breath of Fresh Air: Walking Outdoors for Your Lung Health. https://lunginstitute.com/blog/breath-fresh-air-walking-outdoors-lung-health/}
• _{American Lung Association. Physical Activity and COPD. https://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd/living-with-copd/physical-activity.html}

Scott Ridl

Website

Scott joined American Medical Sales and Rentals in 2008 as a Web Manager and Content Writer. He is a writer and designer. He is extensively trained on oxygen therapy products from leading manufacturers such as Inogen, Respironics, Chart, Invacare, ResMed and more.

Scott works closely with respiratory therapists and oxygen specialists to educate the community about oxygen therapy products, COPD, asthma and lung diseases. He writes weekly columns and is passionate about educating the community on oxygen therapy and respiratory issues.

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