The physical and mental health benefits of participating in a lungs in action community exercise maintenance program following rehabilitation

INTRODUCTION AND AIM Lungs in Action (LIA), a signature program of Lung Foundation Australia (LFA) is a community exercise program for people with chronic lung and cardiac conditions. Facilitated by Exercise Physiologists, Physiotherapists and Fitness Instructors, LIA supports patients to maintain the benefits achieved in pulmonary or cardiac rehabilitation. This research aimed to determine the holistic health benefits of participation in LIA through a national participant evaluation, concurrently with functional outcome measures over a 3-month period. METHODS A convenience sample of LIA participants completed an online health questionnaire (Qualtrics) that incorporated the EQ-5D-5L Health Questionnaire, demographics and structured health and wellbeing questions at baseline. A follow-up health questionnaire was undertaken 3-months post baseline. Concurrently, LIA Instructors conducted functional assessments of muscular strength (30sec Sit to Stand (30STS)), mobility, and balance (Timed Up and Go (TUG)) at baseline and 3-months post, to assess if physiological adaptations were evident. RESULTS 108 LIA participants (60±8 years; F=72) consented to complete the baseline questionnaire with n=61 (60±7 years; F=41) completing the 3-month post questionnaire. There were significant improvements in EQ-5D-5L anxiety domain (MD±SD; 0.18±0.22; p=0.04) and overall health rating (EQ-VAS) (MD±SD; 5.62±2.72; p=0.02). 74 participants (60±7 years; F=52) who attended an average of 11±6 classes over the 3-month interval, completed functional testing at both timepoints. There was a significant decrease in time to complete the TUG (MD±SD; -0.81±1.41 sec; p<0.0001) and increase in repetitions for the 30sSTS (MD±SD; 1.68±2.76 reps; p<0.0001). CONCLUSION Results indicate an increase in functional capacity, overall health, and a decrease in anxiety over the 3-month period. These benefits may relate to improved independence and activities of daily living.