Fitness for Breath

COPD Statistics COPD is a major cause of death & disability: Currently 917,000 Ontarians live with COPD COPD is the 4th leading cause of death in Canada Expected to become 3rd leading cause of death by 2020 COPD causes more hospitalizations than any other major chronic illness Rates in women have increased dramatically in recent years

Lung Disease in Champlain LHIN Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 89,338 of your community’s residents are living with COPD.   For every 100 people aged 35 years and older, 12 are living with COPD. This is higher than Ontario’s average prevalence rate of 11.8. Asthma 209,435 of your community’s men, women and children are living with asthma. For every 100 people in your community, 16 are living with asthma. This is higher than Ontario’s average prevalence rate of 14.95. Smoking Unfortunately, smoking remains the #1 risk factor for developing lung disease. 17.4% of people 12 years of age or older in your community report being a daily or occasional smoker. COPD rates: Gershon A, Ratnasingham S, Mecredy G. Prevalence Counts and Rates of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) by Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) in Ontario, 2013-2014. Toronto: Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences; 2016. LHIN populations: Statistics Canada. Asthma rates: Statistics reported by the Ontario Asthma Surveillance Information System (OASIS) and data provided by the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES); 2014. Smoking Rates: Canadian Community Health Survey, 2013/2014. Statistics Canada, Share File, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

COPD Prevalence by LHIN Figure 2. Age-sex standardized to the 2006 Ontario population COPD prevalence rates (%) in 2014 among adults 35 years and older in Ontario, Canada: by LHIN. Interpretation: In 2014, the age-sex standardized COPD prevalence was 10.5% in Ontario. The highest age-sex standardized COPD prevalence rates were observed in the Erie St. Clair (15.4%), North East (14.9%), and South East (12.8%) LHINs. The lowest age-sex standardized COPD prevalence rates were observed in the Central (8.0%), Central West (7.8%), and Mississauga Halton (7.7%) LHINs.

What Is Fitness for Breath? The Lung Association - Ontario has developed, implemented and evaluated a new and innovative model for exercise maintenance, called Fitness for Breath, for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as other chronic lung diseases such as severe asthma and pulmonary fibrosis. In partnership with fitness centres and with the support of pulmonary rehabilitation programs, it has been introduced across the province.

What Is Fitness for Breath? Fitness for Breath is a respiratory exercise maintenance program designed as post-rehabilitation. It is not intended to replace rehabilitation, but instead provide a resource to continue a person’s exercise routine. In the Fitness for Breath program, participants learn the importance of staying active for life and the health benefits of exercise.

Goals of Fitness for Breath The goals of the Fitness for Breath program are to: Encourage an inactive population to become active for life; Improve participants' activity and daily function; Improve physical literacy and fundamental movement skills; Provide an accessible and safe exercise environment, and Strengthen the community recreation sector.

Fitness for Breath Program Structure Classes are supervised by qualified and trained fitness staff at each Fitness for Breath program location. Classes are offered a minimum of twice a week and are at least 60 minutes in length. The class components may include the following: (1) aerobic exercises, (2) resistance / strength training and (3) flexibility exercises. These classes are designed to work with people at any fitness level and ability.

Fitness for Breath We currently have more than 20 Fitness for Breath programs running in community fitness centres across Ontario. These programs are located in each region of the province. We have trained over 70 fitness staff. There are close 250 people participating in this program province –wide. A website has been developed to support this program (www.fitnessforbreath.ca)

Program Testimonials Since we started Fitness for Breath at our YMCA, it’s been rewarding to see and hear the impact of this amazing program. (YMCA Staff and FFB Trainer) The expression "can't teach an old dog new tricks" is not true! I learned to improve my exercise techniques and breathing sequences. I also learned a variety of new exercises and different ways to accommodate my health issues. (Fitness for Breath participant) The YMCA staff trainers created a fun and enjoyable environment to learn how to exercise when you have COPD or other lung concerns. (Fitness for Breath participant)

Program Testimonials The Fitness for Breath program has helped me immensely! (Fitness for Breath participant) My breathing is much better. I have noticed a real difference since starting the Fitness for Breath class. (Fitness for Breath participant) The breathing and exercise techniques that I have learned are due, with thanks, to the friendly and knowledgeable YMCA Trainers. (Fitness for Breath participant) I am 75 years old and living with COPD. (As a result of many years of smoking.) After joining the exercise maintenance program, my breathing and overall fitness have improved dramatically. (Fitness for Breath participant)

Thank You