Abstract
Background: Physical activity (PA) and exercise capacity are reduced in patients with severe COPD. We aimed to assess PA and its relation with exercise capacity in mild COPD.
Methods: We assessed PA (SenseWear Armband) for 7 days (reported as the average number of steps (PAsteps) and the time spent in moderate PA (> 3METs, PAmod)) in 123 (ex-)smokers (49 with COPD; 33 GOLD I and 16 GOLD II) and 55 non-smokers. Exercise capacity was determined by VO2max and six minute walking distance (6MWD).
Results: Group characteristics are given in table1. PA was significantly correlated (p<0.0001) with 6MWD (r=0.37 and r=0.27 with PAsteps and PAmod, respectively) and VO2max (r=0.39 and r=0.35 with PAsteps and PAmod, respectively).Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that PAsteps is determined by age (R2=0.17), 6MWT (R2=0.09), season of PA assessment (1=summer/spring/autumn, R2=0.02) and diagnosis of COPD (R2=0.02; total R2=0.30). PAmod is determined by season (R2=0.12), age (R2=0.05), 6MWD (R2=0.04), gender (R2=0.02) and COPD (R2=0.02; total R2=0.25).
Conclusion: PA is reduced in patients with mild COPD. Age, season of PA assessment and 6MWD are predictors of PA.
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