Chest Exercises for COVID-19 Patients

Here are some chest exercises that are advised by the doctors to build respiratory endurance and chest functioning:

Incentive Spirometry:

• Put the mouthpiece in your mouth and close your lips tightly around it. Do not block the mouthpiece with your tongue
• Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece to raise the indicator. Try to make the indicator rise up to the level of the goal marker.
• When you cannot inhale any longer, remove the mouthpiece and hold your breath for at least 3 seconds
• Exhale normally

You can practice this simple exercise by blowing up a certain number of balloons each day. Blowing balloons works out the intercostal muscles that are responsible for spreading and elevating your diaphragm and ribcage. This allows your lungs to take in oxygen during inhalation and expel carbon dioxide as you exhale. The more oxygen you supply to the body during exercise, the longer you will last without becoming breathless and fatigued.

• Repeat these steps in a day as advised
• Keep a log of the highest level you are able to reach each time. This will help healthcare providers see if your lung function improves

The Balloon Exercise:

You can practice this simple exercise by blowing up a certain number of balloons each day. Blowing balloons works out the intercostal muscles that are responsible for spreading and elevating your diaphragm and ribcage. This allows your lungs to take in oxygen during inhalation and expel carbon dioxide as you exhale. The more oxygen you supply to the body during exercise, the longer you will last without becoming breathless and fatigued.