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Published on: 5/26/2025

How can COPD lead to difficulty walking?

COPD can make walking hard by causing shortness of breath and muscle weakness, which change the way a person walks and leads to fatigue. These changes make everyday activities, like walking, more difficult.

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Explanation

COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, affects the lungs and makes it hard to get enough air. When a person with COPD walks, they may feel very short of breath because their lungs work harder to deliver oxygen to the body. This extra work can make the muscles tired much sooner than in healthy people. Studies show that people with COPD may also walk differently—they might take shorter or uneven steps—which can affect balance. These changes in walking style can increase the risk of falls and cause more exhaustion. The constant effort of breathing and walking can lead to a cycle of less physical activity, which further weakens the muscles. Feeling breathless and tired can also make a person less confident, adding a psychological burden. To help, some people may work with healthcare providers on breathing exercises, safe walking routines, or other ways to improve their strength and balance. This integrated approach can help make walking less challenging and improve overall quality of life.

(References)

  • Hanania NA, O'Donnell DE. Activity-related dyspnea in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: physical and psychological consequences, unmet needs, and future directions. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2019 May 24;14:1127-1138. doi: 10.2147/COPD.S188141. PMID: 31213793; PMCID: PMC6538882.

  • Xiang X, Huang L, Fang Y, Cai S, Zhang M. Physical activity and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a scoping review. BMC Pulm Med. 2022 Aug 5;22(1):301. doi: 10.1186/s12890-022-02099-4. PMID: 35932050; PMCID: PMC9354440.

  • Yentes JM, Rennard SI, Schmid KK, Blanke D, Stergiou N. Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Walk with Altered Step Time and Step Width Variability as Compared with Healthy Control Subjects. Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2017 Jun;14(6):858-866. doi: 10.1513/AnnalsATS.201607-547OC. PMID: 28267374; PMCID: PMC5566305.

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