Step-ups for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Before starting any exercise program, talk to your health professional. He or she may ask that you do specific exercises and will help you determine how often and how long to do them and your long-term goals.

Start the exercise slowly and gradually. Either keep track of how long you can do it or count the number of times you can do it before you are mildly out of breath. Then rest and move on to the next exercise. Each week, increase the amount of time you do them or how many you do.

• Start on a flight of stairs with a banister to hold.
• Breathe out as you take one step up.
• Breathe in as you step back down.