Effective Pulmonary Rehabilitation

[larrynz]

Endurance and resistance training are equally effective as the basis for community-based pulmonary rehabilitation programmes, say Norwegian researchers.

Forty patients with COPD were randomised to receive 12 weeks of pulmonary rehab - either by resistance training using light weights or endurance training using a treadmill.

Attendance rates were around 85% in each group – with resistance training increasing treadmill endurance times by 7.7 mins and endurance training by 5.7mins.


But the difference was not big enough to recommend one over the other and the researchers said the choice should be left to patients.

Respiratory Medicine 2007 28 November early online publication

[Joyce7]

Thank you Larry for the information. I'm always on the look out for what's best when it comes to rehab...Joyce

[chrisw]

My guess is that it would be even better if both endurance AND resistance training were included in pulm. rehab.

[maryaz]

I think I would have to see the details of who the people were that were in the study and their condition. From my experience with a 24% lung function, I am not sure I can agree.

If I didn't walk the TM for the endurance, I would be much worse off. So many times when I am not able to walk I can sure tell the difference.

Thanks for sharing Larry/NZ

[the bear]

In my 9 person rehab group there is a diversity of medical conditions and they all undergo the same treatments on a three day a week basis for 9 consecutive weeks. The classes are a one hour lecture on various topics on every aspect of lung disease and its management and then an hour and a half session in the gym.
The gym sessions starts with various stretching and conditioning exercises to limber up every part of the body from head to toe.
Then to some weights, then treadmill. Then some more weights and then the Monark bike and the Schwinn. We then finish off the day with another session of stretches.

As of this writing I am amazed at just how much everyone has improved in just the first five weeks. I know I feel a lot better and I feel stronger and can do a lot more, and when this session is over I mean to sign up for the refresher course and maintenance training right away. Hugz, as ever, bear. ;D ;D

[larrynz]

Bear the modern thinking is that walking is better than a treadmill, not always possible, at ours we used hospital corridors, the fitter ones went up stairs as well (not me). The amount of times you went round was counted and recorded, I think everybody improved.
Other than that our routine was the same as yours.

[LindaNY]

Unfortunately around this area there is no pulmonary rehab at any of the local hospitals. It would be at least an hour to an hour and a half drive for me to get to one.

For my own benefit, I decided to push myself and walk as far and as often as I could., including hikes in the National Parks at altitude.
Then for upper body workout, I use hand weights and do wall push ups, AND finally got myself some of the exercise bands.

I don't do too bad for an old lady with only 23% lung function and no O2, ;D
my allergist and my Pulmo both said I should give lessons to others who just slink into a corner and get into the "poor me mode". So many do act like invalids, unfortunately.