Physical activity and sedentary behaviour: applying lessons to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

K Hill, P A Gardiner, V Cavalheri, S C Jenkins, G N Healy

Journal: Internal medicine journal 2016;45(5):474-82

PMID: 25164319

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Abstract

In health and disease, the benefits of regular participation in moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity are well documented. However, individuals with chronic conditions, such as those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), typically do very little activity at a moderate or vigorous intensity. Much of their day is instead spent in sedentary behaviour, such as sitting or reclining, which requires very little energy expenditure. This high level of time spent in sedentary behaviour can have serious health consequences, including increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and premature mortality. There is emerging evidence to suggest that participation in light intensity physical activities (e.g. standing or slow walking) may have benefits for cardio-metabolic health. Given the low aerobic capacity of individuals with moderate to severe COPD, increasing light intensity activity (through reducing sedentary time) may be a feasible additional strategy to improve health in this population, alongside traditional recommendations to increase the time spent in moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity. This review provides an overview of physical activity and sedentary behaviour, with a particular emphasis on these behaviours for people with COPD. It provides suggestions for the measurement of these behaviours within the clinical setting, as well as for interventions that may be effective at increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviour in this population.

Address: School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Faculty of Health Science, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.; Lung Institute of Western Australia and Centre for Asthma, Allergy and Respiratory Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.; Physiotherapy Department, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.; School of Population Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.; Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.; School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Faculty of Health Science, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.; Lung Institute of Western Australia and Centre for Asthma, Allergy and Respiratory Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.; School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Faculty of Health Science, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.; Lung Institute of Western Australia and Centre for Asthma, Allergy and Respiratory Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.; Physiotherapy Department, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.; School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Faculty of Health Science, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.; School of Population Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.; Heart and Diabetes Institute, Baker IDI, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

DOI: 10.1111/imj.12570

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MeSH Terms: Directive Counseling, Exercise, Humans, Motor Activity, Patient Education as Topic, Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive, Sedentary Behavior