The Impacts on Exercise on Cystic Fibrosis

by GM Brown

Exercise has long been touted as beneficial to society as a whole. For those living with cystic fibrosis (CF), it has been determined to be a “predictor of survival.¹” In the simplest terms, according to multiple researchers, the more you exercise, the better your lungs and the potential for a longer lifespan. 

No studies indicate how much exercise a person with CF (PwCF) should have. Federal guidelines suggest 150 minutes of moderately intense physical activity a week (or about 21 minutes per day) and resistance exercise at least twice weekly. (https://www.cff.org/managing-cf/why-fitness-matters).

The benefits of exercise are numerous: improved exercise tolerance, health-related quality of life, bone health, diabetes management, heart health, and weight management. Exercise can reduce fatigue. Researchers are also looking at the benefits of exercise in place of airway clearance techniques such as the vest. 

Despite exercise’s benefits, many people with CF cite barriers to it. These include cost, time involvement, and lack of energy. However, participants in research studies did notice immediate benefits, such as greater mucus clearance. 

Long-term effects of exercise on muscles, bone, and heart health are more complex to measure in the short term. However, in the general population, exercise has been shown to help with weight management, muscle strength, and a reduction in bone and heart complications.

With the CF population aging, the impact of exercise on our bodies, beyond just our lungs, will be crucial. People with CF have been shown to have a higher risk of low bone density and osteoporosis, which is the primary reason for repeated bone scans throughout our lifespan. PwCF may not get enough weight-bearing exercises such as walking, jogging, or weightlifting to reduce these risks. 

There is no one-size-fits-all exercise routine. While some people with CF are running marathons, others are content walking their dogs. Some are happy to do yoga, while others enjoy kickboxing. The critical thing to remember is that adding exercise to your weekly routine has health benefits.

Even the busiest person can find a way to add exercise to their schedule. Not sure how to get started:

  • Find an activity you enjoy. 
  • Share the experience with a friend or training partner for accountability. 
  • Exercise at the time that best fits your schedule. 
  • Walk 10 minutes twice a day. 
  • Ride a bicycle or hike in nature. 
  • Lift weights while watching your favorite TV show or listening to music or a podcast. 
  • Swim laps or do water exercises. 

Adding exercise at first might be hard but once it becomes a part of your routine, you will begin noticing the benefits!

  1. Hurley, N., Moyna, N.M., Kehoe, B. et al. Factors influencing physical activity in adults with cystic fibrosis. BMC Pulm Med 21, 113 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12890-021-01482-x
  2. Ward N, Morrow S, Stiller K, et alExercise as a substitute for traditional airway clearance in cystic fibrosis: a systematic review Thorax 2021;76:763-771.
  3. Stalvey MS, Clines GA. Cystic fibrosis-related bone disease: insights into a growing problem. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. 2013 Dec;20(6):547-52. doi: 10.1097/01.med.0000436191.87727.ec. PMID: 24468756; PMCID: PMC4061713.