Barriers toward Physical Activity in COPD: A Quantitative Cross-Sectional, Questionnaire-Based Study

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Rehabilitation
• Public Health

Background:

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a leading global cause of death, characterized by progressive respiratory decline.
• Despite known benefits of physical activity (PA) for symptom management and quality of life in COPD, its implementation remains low.
• Identifying barriers to PA is essential for improving patient outcomes and adherence to treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify barriers to physical activity (PA) in individuals diagnosed with COPD.
• To investigate the influence of FEV1 and smoking status on PA levels in this population.
• To understand the relationship between fear of breathlessness, motivation, and PA engagement.

Main Methods:

• A quantitative, cross-sectional study design was employed in Denmark.
• Data were collected from 493 participants with COPD using pilot-tested questionnaires.
• Statistical analyses were performed to identify significant barriers and correlations.

Main Results:

• Low motivation was the most significant barrier to PA (p < 0.001, p = 0.009).
• Comorbidity also presented a significant barrier to PA (p = 0.035, p = 0.016).
• Fear of breathlessness showed a significant correlation with low motivation (p < 0.001); FEV1 and smoking status were not associated with PA levels.

Conclusions:

• Low motivation, often linked to fear of breathlessness and comorbidity, is the primary obstacle to physical activity in COPD patients.
• Interventions focusing on enhancing motivation and addressing fear of breathlessness may promote PA.
• Making PA enjoyable and less obligatory could facilitate its integration into the daily lives of individuals with COPD.