Approximately 17 million adults in the United States are diagnosed with
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is the third leading cause of
death in America with more females dying from COPD than males. Yet, despite the
death rate due to COPD and the awareness of smoking as the primary risk factor, 80 to
90% of the patients with COPD smoked cigarettes. Because the shortness of breath
increases the likelihood of a sedentary lifestyle with decreases in functional capacity,
skeletal muscle mass, and quality of life, COPD patients should be encouraged to
participate in an exercise medicine program that is safe and effective.
Keywords: Acute bronchitis, Aerobic training, COPD, Dyspnea, Emphysema,
Exercise medicine, Exercise precautions, Hypoxemic clients, Pulmonary rehab.
