COPD is a common, preventable and treatable disease, which is characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow restriction. It is generally considered to be related to the abnormal inflammatory response of the lungs to harmful gases or particles such as cigarette smoke. According to a number of large-scale epidemiological studies, the number of patients with COPD in the world reached 384 million in 2010. Due to the increasingly serious air pollution, excessive tobacco inhalation, unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity, the number of patients with COPD is still rising. It is reported that about 3 million cases of COPD die every year, becoming the third leading cause of death in the world, and the death toll is increasing. With the rising smoking rate in developing countries and the aging population in high-income countries, the prevalence of COPD is expected to rise in the next 30 years. By 2030, more than 4.5 million people may die of COPD and related diseases every year.

16 studies evaluated by the Finnish Medical Association showed that compared with the control group of COPD patients without intervention, high-intensity spa training for 45 minutes three times a week for 12 weeks in patients with moderate to severe COPD improved exercise performance and health-related quality of life. The authors conclude that high-intensity physical training in water is beneficial to COPD patients. However, he also mentioned that weekly spa training is not enough to improve body function and QOL after 3 months, but weekly high-intensity physical training for 6 months can avoid the deterioration of respiratory function and achieve significant functional improvement of respiratory muscles. At the same time, spa can also promote the heart rate regulation of COPD patients, improve cardiovascular health, improve the functional capacity of lungs, reduce the amount of residual Qi, so as to reduce the feeling of dyspnea and promote aerobic exercise.

An observational study found that most patients like to exercise in water, because for some elderly patients with COPD, gym based exercise may be difficult and may have complications, such as arthritis, which may further affect their ability to perform high-intensity exercise on land, while joints in water will bear less pressure and effectively relieve pain, Increase the acceptability and effectiveness of rehabilitation training.

From the perspective of overcoming patients’ fear and socialization, spa is also of great benefit to the mental health of patients with COPD. Depression and anxiety are common complications of COPD, but they are usually not diagnosed in time, and are related to poor health status and prognosis. Among 142 patients with mild to severe COPD, 59.2% were diagnosed with anxiety and depression; The patients were treated at a sanatorium on the southern coast of Crimea. The results show that the treatment process of spa has a beneficial impact on the psychological function of patients with COPD, especially in patients with mild COPD.

Obesity is also a complication of COPD and many other risk factors of non communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes and so on. COPD obesity is associated with increased dyspnea symptoms, poor health-related quality of life (QDL), elevated fatigue levels and exercise performance limitations, including reduced tolerance to weight-bearing exercises such as walking.

Based on the aspects involved in this paper, water sports meeting is a more appropriate training method for COPD patients, especially patients with complications. At the same time, spa can improve mental function and mental health. Compared with land exercise or no exercise, water exercise significantly expands the potential of effective physical training for patients with COPD. Water exercise also contributes to obesity control, which is also one of the most difficult risk factors for non communicable diseases.