Cycling against COPD

To encourage physical activity in patients with lung disease COPD, staff and patients at Maria Middelares got into the bike saddle on COPD day during a 'Bike challenge'.

Each participant cycled for 5 or 10 minutes. A reward was provided for each cyclist. The first kilometres were pedalled by well-known cyclists Florian Vermeersch and Ewoud Vromant. Together with 13 other participating hospitals, we tried to accumulate as many kilometres as possible.

The 'Bike challenge' takes place on the occasion of World COPD Day (Chronic Onstructive Pulmonary Disease). On this day, worldwide attention is paid to COPD, a disease of the respiratory tract. You have less oxygen and breathing is more difficult. As a result, you have less energy. Normal things like climbing stairs, running errands or getting dressed can be difficult.

Traditionally, this day highlights the importance of physical activity for patients with COPD. Regular physical activity offers a whole host of benefits. Among other things, it can reduce feelings of shortness of breath and lead to less frequent flare-ups of the disease.