Study Links Exercise to Stronger Breathing Muscles For COPD
Exercise might not be the first thing on your mind if you have COPD. But studies show that doing particular workouts helps strengthen your respiratory muscles, giving your lungs extra power. The Journal of Applied Physiology claims that "Strength-training exercises may also provide additional advantages. They might also build up the muscles in the rib cage, abdominal wall, and upper extremities in addition to strengthening the diaphragm. The rise in PEmax is consistent with a strengthening-training impact on the abdominal and ribcage expiratory muscles. The slight rise in biceps circumference is compatible with the development of the muscles of the upper extremities. Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) frequently use the muscles of the rib cage, upper extremities, and abdominal wall during breathing, therefore training with these movements may be more advantageous than training maneuvers that only target the inspiratory muscles." When patients ar...