Water Exercise Helps People with Lung Disease

PRAIRIE VILLAGE, Kan. — There are plenty of excuses not to exercise, and especially when it comes to water exercise.  But there are also lots of reasons to “just do it,” including one new one involving your lungs.

Research suggests that people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD can benefit. It’s a common disease in smokers or former ones that makes it harder to breathe and move.

Some study participants with COPD did supervised water exercise while others did gym exercise for one hour three days a week.  Another group did neither.

Both exercise groups improved their endurance, but the water group came out way ahead.  In an endurance test, they were able to walk about 250 yards farther than those who did land exercise.

Researchers say they think water exercise is beneficial for people with COPD for the same reasons it helps others.  The water supports the body allowing for greater movement which increases endurance.

Even though participants had lung diseae, they seemed to tolerate the pressure of the water on the chest.  Researchers emphasize that anyone with COPD needs to be in a supervised exercise class.

Those classes are offered at YMCAs and other fitness and community centers throughout the Kansas City area.