27 January 2012
The British Lung Foundation (BLF) are pleased to announce their support for Your Personal Best, a national awareness campaign developed and funded by GlaxoSmithKline, official laboratory services provider for London 2012, in association with NHS London. The campaigns aim is to inspire the 7.78 million people over 55 with long term health conditions to lead a more active lifestyle thereby making a significant difference to their health, wellbeing and symptoms.
Your Personal Best wants to prompt these individuals to achieve their ‘personal best’ through specific, personal, uncomplicated and realistic personal activity goals (SPUR).
For many people with lung conditions, exercising can seem daunting. However, gentle activity in a safe environment can improve people’s ability to control breathlessness and boost confidence levels. From dancing, encouraged by celebrity ambassadors Len Goodman and Arlene Phillips, to walking, mowing the lawn or doing the housework, the campaign encourages participants to complete their daily tasks and try and do a little more exercise.
Kath Leach, Head of National Projects at the British Lung Foundation, said: “Instinctively, people with lung disease often avoid situations that make them breathless, which can lead to a vicious cycle of inactivity. The Your Personal Best campaign supports exercise to improve energy levels, reduce breathlessness, and potentially, the number of days spent in hospital.”
Margaret Barnard, an active member of the British Lung Foundation Wales Committee, who has COPD, commented: “Exercise is vital; going to the gym three times a week allows me to live a fulfilling life, keep up with my grandchildren, and have holidays abroad with oxygen. If I stop, I really feel the difference and it makes me want to get back on the treadmill.”
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