Physical activity among Canadian adults with obstructive respiratory diseases

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the amount and modes of physical activity in which adults with obstructive respiratory disease engage. Data from respondents with self-reported asthma (n = 4293), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (n = 3118), both diseases (n = 1569), and neither obstructive respiratory disease (n = 64 175); these data are from the Canadian Community Health Survey (2011–2012). Logistic regressions were used to assess associations between modes of physical activity and type of respiratory disease. Linear regressions were used to investigate the association between daily energy expenditure and respiratory disease. Adults with COPD and both diseases had the lowest participation in all modes of physical activity. Those with both diseases were less likely to report walking (odds ratio (OR) = 0.74, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.63–0.88), while those with COPD were less likely to report participation in endurance activities (OR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.68–0.92), compared with those with neither obstructive respiratory disease. Those with asthma had similar daily energy expenditure levels and physical activity preferences compared with those with neither obstructive respiratory disease. In conclusion, adults with COPD and both asthma and COPD were less likely to engage in common activities such as walking, while physical activity levels among adults with asthma did not differ from the general population.