How Does Exercise Affect Your Lungs?

Exercise demands more oxygen than the resting state. Therefore, the heart has more work to be done. Doing so, the rate of contraction and the force of contraction are increased.

Blood and the circulatory system deliver oxygen and other nutrients to our body. As the oxygen is used up, the blood is purified (deoxygenated) in the lungs through perfusion.

Exercise does not have significant direct effect on lung function. Patients having chronic lung disease (asthma, bronchitis) cannot breathe properly. This is aggravated when they are forced to go for some sort of exercise. Exercise training facilitates breathing by strengthening their muscles, thus improving stamina and reducing the episodes of breathlessness.

Generally, exercise triggers an attack of asthma. But long-term regular exercise helps in controlling the episode of breathlessness. Thus, minimizing the institutional care. A study in the tear 2000 concluded that, dynamic exercise (aerobic exercise) improves the breathing power in the patients with mild to moderate asthma. Severe degree patients are not prescribed exercise, as it is extremely dangerous to them. The asthma patients doing exercise should avoid any triggering factor that can bring about their problem, like persons can use a treadmill to avoid pollutants in the open air.

He should not switch on the air-conditioner etc. Yoga and Meditation, which involve breathing technique and stretching, are particularly helpful in improving lung function with the added benefit of reduction of stress and increasing concentration power. One study accounted that two thirds of patients with asthma who practiced Yoga regularly were able to trim down or totally cut out their asthma medicines.

Surfactant is a material found in the alveolar tissues of lung (where the oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged). It helps the lung tissue to expand when it stretches during inhalation. Surfactant is reduced in the patients with asthma. Researchers have shown that exercise has a role in the production of it.

The useful types of exercises for the asthmatics are:
Walking- Choose a clear strip of field where you expect little or no pollution. Breathe slowly and deeply. Stop when you do not feel comfortable. Then rest a while and come back. Increase the length after some days.
Gardening- Do not go for any hard work. Cutting and mowing are two good options.
Swimming- It is also a very good exercise. Increase the lap as you feel comfortable.
Yoga- It not only helps your lungs to work properly, but the stressful mind become fresher also.
Free hand exercises- you can adopt various indoor free hand techniques.