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European Lung Foundation
European Lung Foundation

#TaketheActiveOption

TakeTheActiveOption is part of the Healthy Lungs for Life campaign, highlighting the importance of physical activity for lung health.

Regular physical activity benefits everyone’s lungs, regardless of age or health status. This theme explores how movement supports lung function, improves overall wellbeing and can be adapted for people living with lung conditions. It also provides practical tips for staying active in everyday life.

Physical activity and lung health

Being physically active helps keep the lungs and heart healthy. It improves breathing efficiency, strengthens muscles used for breathing and supports overall fitness and wellbeing.

For people living with lung conditions, regular activity—at a level that is safe and appropriate—can help manage symptoms, improve quality of life and support independence. Even small increases in daily movement can make a difference.

Information resources

Find trusted information on physical activity and lung health from the European Lung Foundation (ELF), including practical advice for everyday life and living with a lung condition. These resources explain how exercise supports lung function, how to stay active safely and how air quality can affect outdoor activity.

Physical activity

Physical activity and your lungs

Exercise and air quality: 10 top tips

Yours lungs and exercise

Hold your own Take the Active Option activity

You can take part in TakeTheActiveOption wherever you are by organising your own activity. This could be a small group walk, a community run, a workplace challenge, or any form of movement that suits your setting.

Activities can be adapted for all ages, abilities and environments. The most important thing is encouraging people to move more and highlighting the benefits of physical activity for lung health.

Take part in your community

Take part in your community

Communities, patient groups and local organisations are encouraged to host their own TaketheActiveOption activity.

These events can be informal or larger organised activities, depending on your setting. They are a great way to bring people together to raise awareness of lung health and encourage regular physical activity.
Take the Active Option at work

Take the Active Option at work

Workplaces can play an important role in supporting physical activity and lung health.

TaketheActiveOption encourages organisations to help employees build movement into the working day and support healthier, more active lifestyles.

Explore other themes

TaketheActiveOption is one of six Healthy Lungs for Life themes:

BreatheCleanAir

BeSmokeFree

Vaccinate

FightClimateChange

EatWell