COPD - I promise this will be my last question for quite a while.

[puddy68]

I promise this will be my last question for a while [!]. I was just wondering, as COPD is a progressive disease, how exercise [eg/ pulmonary rehab] can improve FEV1 values, therefore improve lung function, yet the condition will still get worse? Or does it mean that improving FEV1 values/lung function can keep you stable for many years? Thank you so much.

[katieoxo60]

Hi there you got it in one the more you can exercise helps to build up your exercise tolerance as they call it . It waylays the disabilities that eventually take over and gives you a slightly longer active life. Exercises can be just light daily ones although I did some gym style ones on rehab, at the beginning. I have had COPD now since 2008.

[R2B_John Moderator]

Exercise helps build you our core strength. A good analogy is that oxygen is your bodies fuel. If you are out of shape, you need more fuel to get from Point A to Point B.....just as would an out of tune automobile.Exercise "tunes up" your body allowing it to more efficiently use the fuel (oxygen).

John