Overview
This study looks at whether Street Racket is a feasable activity that can be added to pulmonary rehabilitation for people with chronic lung disease. Participants complete short questionnaires at the start and end of the program to rate the feasibility and rate their breathlessness during each session. Attendance is recorded to understand how well the activity is used and whether there are any barriers.
Description
Pulmonary rehabilitation (APR) is an effective and cost-efficient treatment for people with chronic lung diseases, as it can reduce hospital admissions and improve health. Despite this, many patients do not take part or drop out early. Common reasons include low motivation, difficulty attending sessions, or fear that the exercises are too demanding.
Street Racket is a simple, playful, and flexible form of physical activity that may help overcome these barriers. It is easy to adapt, enjoyable in a group setting, and similar in intensity to existing pulmonary rehabilitation exercises. Social and team-based activities like Street Racket may also have positive effects on mental well-being.
The study aims to assess how feasible the activity is, how well it is accepted by participants, and whether it can offer a more engaging and sustainable training option within APR.
Participation in Street Racket sessions is voluntary and possible with or without study participation. For those who take part in the study, the training itself is exactly the same as for non-participants. The only difference is the additional data collection.
Participants are asked to complete a short questionnaire after their first and last Street Racket session about how appropriate and feasible the activity feels. During each session, participants also rate their average and maximum breathlessness. Attendance is recorded, and if someone is absent, the reason is noted when known.
In addition, routinely collected data from pulmonary rehabilitation-such as diagnosis, medication, and standard clinical test results-are analyzed.
Training sessions are adapted to group size and ability level and usually consist of several short playing intervals with breaks and a cool-down. The activity can be modified to match different fitness levels, allowing people with varying physical capacities to participate together.
Study participation ends automatically when the pulmonary rehabilitation program is completed.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Any sex or gender
- Age \>18 years
- Prescribed APR by a physician and currently participating in APR at the USZ
- Physically and psychologically capable of following instructions and standing/walking for up to one hour (short, seated breaks are allowed if needed)
Exclusion Criteria:
- Require supplemental oxygen therapy that cannot be delivered via a portable backpack system (e.g., large oxygen cylinders on wheels, which pose a fall risk)
- Are unable to follow study procedures due to language barriers, psychological conditions, or orthopaedic limitations that prevent them from standing or walking for up to one hour
- Require walking aids due to impaired balance (e.g., walking sticks, rollator, etc.)
