Fev1

[Martinack59]

Has anyone improved there fev1 by intense aerobic exercise at all ?

[Bkin]

I wouldn't say intense aerobic exercise is a good thing, but it would depend how bad the lungs are already whether or not IAE can be achieved.

However ongoing regular exercise can improve FEV1

FEV1 can fluctuate to improvement or deterioration depending if there is a lung infection or if air quality is good or not so good.

[Caspiana]

Hello Martin, 👋

I'd say your FEV1 won't need too much improving on if you are able to do intense aerobic exercise. 😊 I remember being pleased if I could make it out of the shower without collapsing. 😟 But yes, exercise is very good for the lungs. I don't think anyone can say for sure that it will increase your FEV1 but it will work your lungs and definitely help your breathing. Please don't stress too much. I think you are doing extremely well.

Cas xx 🙋

[Martinack59 in reply to Caspiana]

Thanks Cas , I go gym I run walk my dog miles so at the moment the impact is very low although my fev1 reading was 82

[jackdup]

People post from time to time that their FEV1 has improved. I assume it was from exercise but no one has mentioned intense aerobic exercise.

[Ergendl]

My FEV1 has improved with increased daily walking plus diaphragm singing for at least 3 times a week for an hour each time. It helps that I run a singing for lung health group. The BFL lists singing groups and choirs in the UK on its website.

[flicky1]

I do intense aerobic exercise (Zumba, fast swimming etc) and have found the more I push myself, the more I can do. On the other hand, I find activities, such as yoga, more difficult when bending or doing anything that requires lying on my front, much more difficult, but I am continuing to do them. I don't measure my condition (emphysema) by my fev1, but by what I can do.

When I was first diagnosed, three or four years ago, I was afraid to do "too much" and was told that I should use ventolin before exercising and that I should stop for rests. I don't take any rests now unless I really need to (which is not often) and only use ventolin on rare occasions. For example, I did take a rest and use my ventolin when I was halfway up the tallest church spire in Europe. Yes, I did get to the top. I don't know whether it was the rest, the ventolin or both that gave me a second wind.

However, I think you have to build on what you can already do, not go for it straight away. You seem to be already pretty fit, so I guess, like me, if you build on that now, you have more chance of keeping fit and well. Apart from getting breathless, which I work through, I am as fit and able as I have always been, and will try to stay this way for as long as possible.

[Martinack59 in reply to flicky1]

Great and thanks

[Neville33 in reply to flicky1]

Not recommended to do yoga by National Jewish...most of us have GERD or silent aspiration... brings everything up when we bend over

[flicky1 in reply to Neville33]

At the moment I just get breathless when I bend over.

[O2Trees]

Fev1 improvement from exercise can happen it seems, but the usual thinking is that what improves with exercise is our muscle tone so our muscles are able to use what oxygen we have more efficiently.

Ive certainly found that to be the case. Im severe, fev1 stubbornly stuck at 37% despite doubling up on my exercise (2 x weights session a week, and walking for 15 minutes 6 days a week). But I can walk far more easily and I use my oxygen less than I used to. So definitely worth it.

[Neville33]

Yes I have...doing an hr a day at the gym, and training for 10k power walk runs in Toronto FEV1 is now at 73, from mid to late 60's👍