EXERCISE AND THE LUNGS
The amount of air breathed in depends upon the level of activity. When
sitting down, the body takes in about 15 breaths a minute, giving around 12
litres of air (a pint is just over half a litre). From this, the lungs extract
just one-fifth of a litre of oxygen.
During exercise, both breathing and heart rate increase. Exercising flat
out, a top-class athlete can expect to increase the breathing rate to around 40
to 60 breaths per minute, taking in 100 to 150 litres of air, and extracting
around five litres of oxygen every single minute. Even those with more modest
goals need to more than double the air intake when exercising, and the lungs
must be able to respond to the body's increasing demands for oxygen.
Exercise
As exercise begins, the muscles in the body send messages to the breathing
centre in the brain that they need more oxygen. In turn, the brain sends
signals to the muscles that control breathing (the diaphragm and the muscles
between the ribs) so that they shorten and relax more often, causing more
breaths to be taken. More oxygen is absorbed from the lungs and carried to the
muscles used for exercise, mainly in the arms and legs.
People with long-term lung problems, such as chronic bronchitis and
emphysema, may find that they cannot provide enough oxygen for their muscles to
perform even small amounts of activity, such as walking. The lungs may work so
hard to keep up that they feel breathless. But still too little oxygen is
absorbed.
Physical training
Through exercise, it is possible to train the body so that more oxygen is
delivered to the muscles and there is less build up of lactic acid. Exercise is
important in keeping lungs healthy. Unfortunately, many people with long-term
lung problems are afraid to exercise. This is partly because they dislike being
breathless, and partly because they are worried that being breathless may be
harming them. However, a gradual build-up of the amount of exercise improves
both breathing and general well-being.
People with severe lung problems benefit a lot from even small amounts of
exercise and it really is worth keeping as active as possible. Begin slowly by
doing simple arm and leg movements while seated. Then set targets for walking
about, from room to room, going to the front door, the bottom of the garden,
down the road and so on.
Breathing control
Breathing control concentrates on using the lower chest, with relaxation of
the upper chest and shoulders. This encourages more efficient use of the
diaphragm, by consciously allowing the abdomen to move out when breathing in,
rather than allowing it to be sucked inwards. Practise breathing control with
one hand on the abdomen.
Breathing control helps to slow down the breathing rate, and reduces the
feeling of anxiety if arising from breathlessness. Discuss referral to a
physiotherapist (to help teach breathing control and breathing exercises) with
a GP or chest specialist,
Extra oxygen
Some people with chronic lung disease can exercise more if they receive
extra oxygen. Oxygen for use in the home is readily available on the NHS. There
may be a charge for a portable oxygen system to carry around outside the house,
although many lung specialists have local arrangements to help out with this.
Not everyone benefits from oxygen, so it is very important to be assessed by a
specialist before starting treatment.
Further Information
For further help and advice, contact:
British Lung Foundation
8 Peterborough Mews
London
SW6 3BL
 020-7371 7704
(Birmingham): 0121-236 8611 (ext 5985)
(Bristol): 01272 594959
(Glasgow): 0141-204 4110
(Liverpool): 0151-228 4723
(Newcastle): 0191-263 0276
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