Correlation between Physical Activity and Lung Function in Dusty Areas: Results from the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Dusty Areas (CODA) Cohort

Abstract

BackgroundAlthough physical activity is known to be beneficial to lung function, few studies have been conducted to investigate the correlation between physical activity and lung function in dusty areas. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the correlation between physical activity and lung function in a Korean cohort including normal and COPD-diagnosed participants.MethodsData obtained from the COPD in dusty areas (CODA) cohort was analyzed for the following factors: lung function, symptoms, and information about physical activity. Information on physical activity was valuated using questionnaires, and participants were categorized into two groups: active and inactive. The evaluation of the mean lung function, modified Medical Research Council dyspnea grade scores, and COPD assessment test scores was done based on the participant physical activity using a general linear model after adjusting for age, sex, smoking status, pack-years, height, and weight. In addition, a stratification analysis was performed based on the smoking status and COPD.ResultsPhysical activity had a correlation with high forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) among CODA cohort (p=0.03). While the active group exhibited significantly higher FEV1 compared to one exhibited by the inactive group among past smokers (p=0.02), no such correlation existed among current smokers. There was no significant difference observed in lung function after it was stratified by COPD.ConclusionThis study established a positive correlation between regular physical activity in dusty areas and lung function in participants.

Health Effects of Ozone on Respiratory Diseases

“…(11) During the warm/summer season, for example, elderly patients should try to stay inside during daytime in order to prevent ozone exposure as much as possible. Such recommendation may lead to a decrease in physical activity although evidence shows the benefits of physical activity even in polluted areas (12). Therefore, potential risks and benefits should be well-evaluated in the future guidelines.…”

Physical activity and lung function—Cause or consequence?

“…Several studies have found positive associations between physical activity [1][2][3][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] and lung function levels in adults but most of them were cross sectional [15][16][17] or conducted in specific populations such as COPD patients [18] or adults with asthma [19]. A few prospective studies suggested a beneficial effect of physical activity on lung function in healthy adults [2,13,20,21] or in the general population [1,3,14], although results are inconsistent in terms of assessment of physical activity, length of follow-up or adjustment for potential confounders.…”

Implications of Managing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Cardiovascular Diseases

“…COPD is associated with decreased daily life activity, even when airflow obstruction is only mildly to moderately impaired [ 12 , 13 ]. Hence, many cardiac patients can have undiagnosed mild-moderate COPD, before they progress to a stage of severe COPD when the respiratory symptoms become very prominent [ 14 , 15 ].…”