Pulmonary rehabilitation: How to prescribe individualised exercise programmes and activities
This learning resource provides information for healthcare professionals conducting pulmonary rehabilitation. In this module you will learn:
What information is needed in order to prepare an individualised exercise programme
- How to plan an individualised exercise programme
- Adapting exercise programmes to ensure they remain safe and effective
The guidance in this learning resource is aligned with the London Pulmonary Rehabilitation Competency Framework, which was developed to support the development of a consistent approach to documenting, evidencing and developing workforce competency in pulmonary rehabilitation services.
Planning and delivering individualised exercise programmes are associated with Competency 9: Physical activity planning and exercise prescription and Competency 10: Lead and deliver the supervised exercise session, as set out in the framework.
Introduction
Individualised exercise programmes tailored to the individual are a core component of pulmonary rehabilitation, as set out in the British Thoracic Society Guideline. Implementing a properly structured individualised exercise plan is associated with a wide range of positive health outcomes for people undergoing pulmonary rehabilitation, including reduced risk of mortality, improved exercise capacity and quality of life, and reduced symptom burden.
Exercise programmes should focus on building cardiovascular endurance (through aerobic training) and muscle strength (through resistance training), as improvements in these capabilities are most strongly linked to better health outcomes.
The process of planning and implementing an individualised exercise programme can be split into four stages:
Once you have read through each section, why not take our quiz to test your knowledge?
