Getting short of breath doing things that used to be easy — walking to the letterbox, carrying the shopping in, climbing the stairs — is one of the most frightening parts of a COPD diagnosis. It’s common to respond by moving less, to avoid triggering that breathless feeling. Understandably so. But less movement usually makes breathlessness worse over time, not better. This is exactly where the right kind of exercise, guided by the right person, makes the difference.
Here’s what COPD actually is, what to expect, and how a tailored exercise program can help you stay active and independent for longer.
What Is COPD?
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an umbrella term for a group of lung conditions — most commonly emphysema and chronic bronchitis — that cause the airways to narrow, making it harder to breathe.
Smoking and long-term exposure to air pollution are the most common causes. COPD can’t be cured, but early diagnosis and the right treatment plan can help you manage symptoms and breathe more comfortably for longer. Having COPD also increases your risk of developing other health conditions, which we’ll cover below.
What Are the Symptoms of COPD?
The most common symptoms are breathlessness, a chronic cough (with or without phlegm), and persistent fatigue. COPD is usually diagnosed from mid-life onwards, and symptoms tend to progress gradually, making everyday activities harder over time.
Most people with COPD will also experience flare-ups from time to time, where symptoms suddenly worsen. These typically last two to three days and need medication to settle.
Because of the strain COPD places on the body, people living with it are also at higher risk of:
- Depression and anxiety
- Cardiac concerns
- Lung infections and lung cancer
- Flu or pneumonia
- Weak muscles and brittle bones
How Severe Can COPD Get?
COPD severity is graded from mild through to very severe, based on how well your lungs are working and how much your symptoms affect daily life. Your specialist will use these categories, alongside your symptoms, to guide your treatment plan.
You may hear your GP or respiratory specialist use a few technical terms when explaining your results:
- FEV1 — the amount of air you can force out of your lungs in one second
- FVC — the total amount of air you can force out of your lungs
- Bronchodilator — medication, usually delivered through a puffer, that relaxes and opens the airways
How Is COPD Diagnosed?
COPD is most commonly diagnosed using spirometry, a breathing test that measures how much air you can move in and out of your lungs, and how easily. Your doctor may also use additional tests to build a full picture, including:
- X-ray — images of the lungs and surrounding organs
- CT scan — more detailed imaging than an X-ray
- Arterial blood analysis — checks how well your lungs are moving oxygen into your blood and removing carbon dioxide
- Laboratory tests — used to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms
How Can Exercise Help With COPD?
Exercise tailored to your specific lung function and symptoms can genuinely change how you feel day to day, even though it can’t reverse the condition itself.
Exercise can increase:
- Energy levels and sleep quality
- Cardiovascular fitness and immune strength
- Muscle strength, endurance, and bone density
- Confidence, self-esteem, and body image
Exercise can decrease:
- Breathlessness and the sensation of being out of breath
- Risk of developing other chronic conditions
- Blood pressure, cholesterol, and medication side effects
- Hyperinflation (where the lungs stay over-expanded)
- Feelings of depression and anxiety
- The amount of effort your lungs need at a given workload
What Should You Consider Before Exercising With COPD?
Exercising with COPD is safe and beneficial when it’s set up properly, but it does need a few extra safeguards in place:
- Oxygen monitoring. A pulse oximeter tracks your peripheral oxygen saturation during exercise. A reading at or below 88% means exercise should stop.
- Breathing technique. Nasal breathing on the in-breath and pursed-lip breathing on the out-breath helps manage breathlessness during activity.
- Fatigue. Because COPD reduces oxygen delivery to your muscles, fatigue can set in earlier than expected — programs need to account for this, not push through it.
This is exactly why COPD exercise programs should be built and supervised by someone qualified to monitor these factors, rather than followed from a generic plan.
What Does an Exercise Program for COPD Look Like?
Based on current evidence-based guidelines, a well-rounded program includes aerobic, strength, and flexibility work, each dosed differently.
Aerobic Exercise
1–2 sessions, 3–5 days per week, at 40–80% of maximal effort, for around 30 minutes — broken into shorter bouts if needed. Walking, cycling, and swimming are typically well tolerated.
Strength Exercise
2–3 sessions per week, at 60–80% of maximal effort, using 8–10 exercises for one set of 8–12 reps (around 30–40 minutes). This can include free weights, resistance bands, body weight exercise, and inspiratory muscle training.
Flexibility
3 or more sessions per week, ideally on the same days as aerobic or strength work, holding each stretch for at least 30 seconds. Stretching, tai chi, and yoga all fit well here.
These are starting guidelines, not a program to follow unsupervised — intensity and progression need to be individualised to your lung function, symptoms, and oxygen levels.
Why See an Exercise Physiologist in Clare for COPD?
Managing COPD safely means having someone monitor your oxygen levels, breathing technique, and fatigue in real time, and adjust your program as your condition changes. As Accredited Exercise Physiologists based right here in Clare, that’s exactly what we do — building a program around your lung function and your life, without the drive to Adelaide for specialist pulmonary rehab.
If you’ve been diagnosed with COPD and want to know what safe, effective exercise looks like for you, we’d love to help.
Call us on 8873 0628 or book online to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to exercise if I have COPD? Yes, when it’s tailored to your lung function and properly supervised. Exercise is one of the most effective ways to manage COPD symptoms, but factors like oxygen saturation and fatigue need to be monitored throughout.
Will exercise cure my COPD? No, COPD can’t be cured, but the right exercise program can significantly improve your breathlessness, energy levels, and quality of life, and reduce how often you experience flare-ups.
Do I need a referral to see an exercise physiologist for COPD? You don’t need a referral to book, but a GP referral through a Chronic Disease Management plan may make you eligible for Medicare rebates, so it’s worth checking with your GP first.
References
Exercise is Medicine 2024, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and exercise, viewed 16 October 2025, <2014-COPD-FULL.pdf (secureserver.net)>.
Lung Foundation Australia 2024, Overview – Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, viewed 11 October 2024, <Overview – Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (lungfoundation.com.au)>.
Lung Foundation Australian 2024, Exercise Prescription – A reduction in exercise tolerance is one of the main complaints of people with chronic lung disease, viewed 18 October 2024, <Exercise Prescription and Training | Pulmonary Rehabilitation Toolkit>.
World Health Organization 2024, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), World Health Organization, viewed 15 October 2024, <Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (who.int)>
