Learning Experience 5
List all the conditions that lead to COPD. List all the medications a client with COPD might be taking along with their effects on exercise. Then research what would be the correct intensity for someone with a mild to moderate level of COPD to exercise at. Design a comprehensive fitness program for someone with COPD. Then teach yourself what it feels like to exercise at certain MET intensities such as 3 to 4 METs and 5 to 6 METs
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory respiratory disease that affects millions of people worldwide. COPD is characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible and usually progresses over time. The condition most commonly arises from exposure to noxious particles or gases, mainly cigarette smoke. COPD is a significant public health problem and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide.
Answer:
1. List all the conditions that lead to COPD.
The conditions that lead to COPD are primarily related to lifestyle factors such as:
– Smoking tobacco
– Smoking cannabis
– Air pollution
– Exposure to chemicals and fumes in the workplace
– Repeated lung infections
– Genetic predisposition
2. List all the medications a client with COPD might be taking along with their effects on exercise.
The medications that a client with COPD might be taking include:
– Short-acting bronchodilators (e.g., albuterol): These medications help to relax the airways and make breathing easier. They can increase heart rate, making exercise feel more difficult, but they also help to improve exercise tolerance.
– Long-acting bronchodilators (e.g., salmeterol, formoterol): These medications have a longer-lasting effect than short-acting bronchodilators. They can help improve exercise tolerance by allowing air to move more freely in and out of the lungs.
– Inhaled corticosteroids (e.g., fluticasone, budesonide): These medications help reduce inflammation in the airways, making breathing easier. They can also help improve exercise tolerance by reducing the severity of symptoms.
– Oxygen therapy: Some people with severe COPD may need to use supplemental oxygen during exercise to help them breathe more easily.
3. What would be the correct intensity for someone with a mild to moderate level of COPD to exercise at?
For someone with mild to moderate COPD, the correct intensity for exercise is typically between 3 and 6 METs (metabolic equivalents). METs is a measurement of the energy expenditure of an activity relative to sitting still. Light-intensity activities such as walking at a comfortable pace typically range from 2 to 3.5 METs, moderate-intensity activities such as brisk walking range from 3.5 to 6 METs, and vigorous-intensity activities such as running range from 6 METs and above.
4. Design a comprehensive fitness program for someone with COPD.
A comprehensive fitness program for someone with COPD could include several components:
– Aerobic exercise: Low-impact activities such as walking, cycling, or swimming can help increase cardiovascular endurance, improve breathing, and reduce symptoms of breathlessness during daily activities. The client should start with short bouts of exercise and gradually increase the duration and intensity over time.
– Resistance training: Strength training exercises can help improve muscle strength and endurance, which can help reduce the energy demands of daily activities. Resistance training can include exercises such as squats, lunges, and arm curls using weight machines, free weights, or resistance bands.
– Flexibility training: Stretching exercises can help improve joint mobility and reduce stiffness, which can limit physical activity in people with COPD. Flexibility exercises can include static stretches held for 10-30 seconds and dynamic stretches that involve slow, deliberate movements.
– Breathing exercises: Deep breathing exercises can help improve lung function, reduce shortness of breath, and decrease anxiety related to breathing difficulties. The client should be instructed to take slow, deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth, focusing on expanding the belly and chest with each inhale.
5. Teach yourself what it feels like to exercise at certain MET intensities such as 3 to 4 METs and 5 to 6 METs.
To teach yourself what it feels like to exercise at certain MET intensities, you can use a rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale. The RPE scale is a way to measure how hard you feel you are working during exercise, based on your own subjective feelings. A typical RPE scale ranges from 0 to 10, with 0 being sitting still and 10 being maximal effort. To exercise at 3 to 4 METs, you should aim for an RPE of around 4 to 5, which would feel like a moderate intensity. To exercise at 5 to 6 METs, you should aim for an RPE of around 6 to 7, which would feel like a somewhat hard intensity.