Physical activity and lung function association in a healthy community-dwelling European population

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• The relationship between physical activity (PA) and lung function (LF) is not fully understood, with studies showing varied effects.
• This study investigates the association between accelerometry-assessed PA and LF in healthy, community-dwelling individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the association between different intensities of physical activity and lung function parameters.
• To determine if this association is influenced by smoking status in a European population.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from two cross-sectional PneumoLaus studies (2014-17 and 2018-21) in Lausanne, Switzerland.
• Assessed PA using accelerometry, categorizing it into inactivity, light, moderate, or vigorous.
• Measured lung function via spirometry, including forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF), expressed as a percentage of predicted values (PV).

Main Results:

• Moderate and vigorous PA showed a weak but significant positive correlation with FEV1 (PV) and FVC (PV) in both study periods (R values between 0.106 and 0.132).
• These associations persisted regardless of smoking status and after multivariable adjustments.
• Light PA and MMEF showed fewer significant associations with lung function parameters.

Conclusions:

• Moderate and vigorous intensity physical activity are statistically associated with increased lung function in healthy European adults.
• The observed associations, though significant, are considered weak (R < 0.30) and not clinically significant.
• Physical activity demonstrates a subtle positive impact on lung function, independent of smoking.