Physical Fitness and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis IPF

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LIVING WITH IPF

> Fitness

Please consult with your physician before modifying your fitness regimen

BUILDING YOUR STRENGTH AND STAMINA

Shortness of breath during physical activity is one of the first signs of IPF. It’s natural to try to avoid the anxiety caused by that “fish out of water” feeling by being less active, but that’s just the opposite of what experts recommend. The more you limit your physical activities, the more you risk serious health problems— and the more you isolate yourself from the people and things you enjoy.

Although exercise cannot improve your lung function once you have developed IPF, it can offer many other benefits:

Improve muscle strength
Improve breathing ability
Enhance cardiovascular fitness
Increase exercise tolerance
Help manage IPF symptoms
Decrease anxiety
Improve your sense of well-being

GETTING STARTED

Talk to your doctor and other members of your healthcare team before you start any kind of exercise or activity. Your goal should be to start at the level that’s right for you and to get the most benefit over time. Working with your team can help you design a safe, effective plan.

The four-part activity plan: An exercise program for someone with IPF usually includes four parts: breathing, stretching, strengthening, and endurance. A balanced plan will help you use all four of these elements.

Breathing: Working with a respiratory therapist can help you learn several exercises that improve your ability to expand your lungs and get oxygen into your bloodstream. Examples include diaphragmatic breathing, upper lobe expansion, lateral rib expansion, and pause breathing.
Stretching: A physical therapist or exercise physiologist can show you easy, safe stretches that help to warm up your muscles. Stretching also helps to improve your circulation and flexibility.
Strengthening: Improving your muscular strength increases your ability to move and function and also helps to support your breathing. Before beginning, warm up with stretches and perform exercises that require as much range of motion as possible. Never hold your breath during any exercise because this can increase your blood pressure and put stress on your heart.
Endurance: The goal of endurance training is to increase the amount of time that you can exercise. Also called aerobic exercise, this type of activity works the large muscle groups of your body. Examples include walking and using a stationary bike. Work with your therapist and start slowly; you can take frequent rest periods if you want.

TIPS FOR EVERYONE

Always work with your healthcare team to set the goals for your exercise regimen. Your team members can also show you how to track your heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, oxygen saturation levels, and level of breathlessness.

Here are some general tips for a safe, effective exercise plan:

Ask if you need supplemental oxygen before or during exercise
Exercise during the time of day when you feel most rested
Do not exercise if you are experiencing symptoms such as wheezing
Do not exercise immediately after a meal
If you exercise outdoors, avoid extreme heat, cold, or humidity
Begin and end your exercise routine with breathing exercises.

Stop exercising if you experience dizziness, nausea, chest discomfort, excessive shortness of breath, or uncontrolled coughing or wheezing. If any of these symptoms persist more than 15 minutes after you stop exercising, contact your doctor.

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Your goal should be to start at the level that's right for you and to get the most benefit over time.