**5.2 Exercise-induced mechanisms for combatting chronic respiratory diseases**

Chronic respiratory diseases include both chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, characterised by airway obstruction due to emphysema, and chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchioles). Chronic restrictive pulmonary disease consists of chronic lung disorders that produce fibrosis (scarring) and inflammation, which limits inhalation. The most crucial impediment of patients suffering from chronic obstructive respiratory disease pertains to the hyperinflation exercise response that stems from their constrained exhalation. Hyperinflation could be due to increased airway resistance and reduced lung elasticity recoil. Durstine and

*The Profession of Biokinetics in South Africa: The Need for Access to the Public Healthcare System DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.97756*

Moore have reported that structured and controlled physical activity can offer the following exercise-induced benefits:

