Association Between Different Types of Physical Activity and the Risk of COPD: A Cross-Sectional NHANES Study

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive condition that significantly impairs respiratory function. While known risk factors such as smoking and air pollution are well established, the role of physical activity in the development of COPD remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the association between different types of physical activity and COPD risk using data from 14,579 adults aged 40 years and older who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2007 to 2018, representing a weighted population of approximately 93.9 million. A weighted binary logistic regression model was employed to evaluate the relationship between various forms of physical activity-leisure, occupational, and transportation-related-and COPD risk, adjusting for multiple covariates including age, sex, race, BMI, smoking status, sedentary time, and comorbidities. COPD was defined based on self-reported physician diagnosis and spirometry criteria. Among the participants, 8.6% had COPD. Results showed that individuals who engaged in moderate-intensity leisure physical activity had a significantly lower risk of COPD (OR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.61.0.91; P = 0.005). No significant associations were found for high-intensity leisure activity, work-related physical activity, or walking/cycling as a mode of transportation. Subgroup analyses indicated that the protective effect of moderate-intensity leisure activity varied across demographic and behavioral subgroups. These findings suggest that only moderate-intensity leisure physical activity is associated with reduced COPD risk, highlighting the potential preventive role of this specific type of exercise.