The European Respiratory Society (ERS) held an intensive Course on Pulmonary Rehabilitation on June 23, 24, and 25 of 2025, aimed at physicians, physiotherapists, and other healthcare professionals. A team of national and international experts, including Joana Cruz, PhD, a researcher at ciTechCare in Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Physical Activity, taught the course which took place at the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Research Laboratory (Lab3R) of the School of Health Sciences at the University of Aveiro, bringing together specialists and participants from 17 countries.

Professor Joana Cruz was invited to lecture the session “Assessment of physical inactivity and problematic activities of daily living in chronic respiratory diseases” and another session focused on Health Literacy. She also co-led a workshop on physical activity assessment with Professor Fábio Pitta from the State University of Londrina – Brazil, and participated in a clinical case session alongside Professor Fábio Pitta and Professor Patrícia Rebelo from Jean Piaget School of Health – Vila Nova de Gaia.

The expert team leading the course delivered various theoretical lectures and practical workshops, offering an up-to-date and hands-on perspective on the latest advances in Pulmonary Rehabilitation, included themes such as exercise assessment and prescription, symptom management, nutritional support, among others.

Through the practical sessions, participants had the opportunity to explore innovative techniques and discuss their real-world application in their professional practice.

The afternoon of June 25 was dedicated to consolidate the knowledge acquired throughout the course via the presentation and discussion of real clinical cases, fostering a culture of scientific sharing among all participants and speakers.