Why is intensity important when prescribing exercise to patients with chronic respiratory conditions? 

The physiological stimulus to the muscles and heart during exercise is dependent on intensity. 

Therefore your choice of exercise intensity matters. 

Nevertheless, it is important to always take safety, feasibility and patient acceptance into account if we aim for a sustainable health effect. 

More of that in my talk at the APA congress. 

What are the most promising physiotherapy exercise strategies to improve outcomes for patients with chronic respiratory conditions? 

Chris Burtin will be presenting a keynote at APASC2025.

In my view, the best exercise intervention is the one that works well for the individual patient with chronic lung disease in front of you. 

This depends on physiology, but also on the setting of the intervention and patient preference. 

Luckily, our toolkit has grown extensively in recent years with evidence on modalities like partitioned exercise and eccentric exercise. 

Why is international collaboration important in advancing respiratory physiotherapy research and practice? 

Broadening our horizons will always enrich our views and insights, whether you are a clinician or researcher. 

It makes us realize that we face similar challenges, that we can learn from each other’s mistakes and be inspired by each other’s solutions. 

I am convinced international collaboration leads to more robust research projects—priceless in an era where science is under pressure—and more creative and resilient clinicians. 

>> Associate Professor Chris Burtin is a Belgian physiotherapist who obtained a PhD in pulmonary rehabilitation at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in 2012, under supervision of Professors Thierry Troosters and Rik Gosselink. He currently teaches at Hasselt University. His research interests include physical activity and exercise in lung cancer and COPD. He is the chair of the Respiratory Physiotherapy Group with the Belgian Respiratory Society and secretary of the Assembly of Allied Health Professions within the European Respiratory Society. 

>> Chris will present the keynote titled ‘Physical activity to promote longevity in chronic respiratory disease: a matter of quality or quantity?’ on Friday 24 October at 3:35pm.

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