In the treatment of COPD, various exercises learned during therapy play an essential role in slowing down the progression of the disease and restoring quality of life to the patient by maintaining and improving lung function. In addition to special breathing exercises, the main focus is on exercises to strengthen the respiratory muscles and exercises to increase general resilience. The exercises are performed either on one’s own initiative, under the guidance of an experienced therapist or in group therapy. An individual training plan is specially adapted to the stage of the illness and the condition of the patient.
Exercises for at home
Basically, COPD exercises are suitable for home use. In addition to breathing exercises, all exercises that serve to increase the general strength and resilience of the patient are suitable. Sit down on a chair.
Now lift your left leg and breathe in. Count to “three” and then slowly breathe out again with the lip brake while lowering the leg. Repeat with the other leg.
5 passes. Sit up straight on a chair. Breathe out and let your shoulders and head drop forward.
When breathing in, stand up straight and pull your shoulder blades together. 3 passes. Sit on a chair and raise your arms at an angle to shoulder level, with forearms and hands facing forward.
Breathe in and simultaneously turn your upper body to the left side. Hold the position briefly and then breathe out with the lip brake while returning to the starting position. Repeat the exercises on the other side.
3 passes. Take two light weights in your hands and stretch them out, then return them to the shoulder. 15 repetitions.
Stand behind a chair and support yourself with your hands on the backrest. Now press up on your tiptoes 15 times. 3 repetitions.
- Sit down on a chair. Now lift your left leg and breathe in. Count to “three” and then breathe out slowly with the lip brake while lowering your leg.
Repeat with the other leg. 5 passes.
- Sit up straight on a chair. Breathe out and let your shoulders and head drop forward.
When breathing in, stand up straight and pull your shoulder blades together. 3 passes.
- Sit on a chair and raise your arms at an angle to shoulder level, with your forearms and hands facing forward. Breathe in and at the same time turn your upper body to the left side.
Hold the position briefly and then exhale with the lip brake while returning to the starting position. Repeat the exercises on the other side. 3 passes.
- Take two light weights in your hands and then stretch them out to return them to your shoulder.
15 repetitions.
- Stand behind a chair and support yourself with your hands on the backrest. Now push yourself up on your tiptoes 15 times. 3 passes.
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