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Exercising with a lung condition

Research has shown that exercising is highly beneficial for people living with chronic lung disease. Exercise improves your health and wellbeing, maintains your fitness, and reduces symptoms such as breathlessness.

Your exercise pathway to better health

The benefits of exercise

  • Improves your ability to do everyday tasks 
  • Reduces your breathlessness 
  • Improves your arm, body, and leg muscle strength 
  • Helps to clear mucus (or sputum) from your chest 
  • Improves your balance  
  • Improves your mood and makes you feel more in control 
  • Assists weight control 
  • Improves your bone density 
  • Reduces the need for hospital admission.  

Exercise as part of your daily routine

  • Set aside time each day to exercise, choosing a time when your energy levels are high. Aim to exercise at the same time each day and reward yourself for achieving your weekly goals. 
  • Take the stairs instead of the lift or get off the bus a stop earlier and walk to your destination. Small changes to your daily routine can improve your health, so talk to your health professional about the incidental activity that is suitable for you.  
  • Choose an activity you enjoy doing and if you need some extra motivation, ask a family member or friend to join you.   
  • Aim to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, breaking this down into 3 x 10 minutes sessions if you need to. 
  • Before starting an exercise program, it is important to talk to your health professional about what type of exercise would suit you. 

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