Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 17, 2026
Visualization of Intensity Levels to Reduce the Gap Between Self-Reported and Directly Measured Physical Activity
Published on: March 7, 2019
Independent and joint relationships of physical activity and pulmonary function with the risk of all-cause mortality
Jingxin Ma1, Can Shen1, Yu Jia1
1General Practice Ward/International Medical Center Ward, General Practice Medical Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Background:
Physical activity (PA) plays a crucial protective role in the overall health outcomes of individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, accurate recommendations for amount and categories of PA are still unclear for individuals with impaired pulmonary function (PF) in community environments. Thus, this study aims to investigate the independent and joint relationships of PA and PF with mortality.
Methods:
In a prospective UK Biobank cohort study, PA was collected by touchscreen questionnaires, and metabolic equivalents of task (MET)-minutes/week of total exercise was calculated by walking plus moderate-intensity PA plus vigorous-intensity PA. According to the standard of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (GOLD) 2024, GOLD stage 1, GOLD stage 2 and GOLD stages 3-4 were classified as mild, medium and severe PF impairment, respectively. Cox regression was established to analyse the association between PA, PF and the risk of all-cause mortality.
Results:
A total of 354 572 participants were included with mean age of 56.0 years. Compared with lowest quintile of PA, highest quintile of PA was associated with lower risk of mortality in individuals with normal PF (HR=0.828), mild (HR=0.768), medium (HR=0.697) and severe PF impairment (HR=0.588). Generally, PF impairment related to mortality, and this relationship was independent of PA (p<0.05), except for individuals adhering to third quintile (1378-2340 MET-minutes/week) of PA (p>0.05). In joint analysis, more severe PF impairment and lower PA had a dose-response relationship with mortality. Moreover, highest quintile of walking/total exercise was associated with elevated mortality, while adhering to high level of vigorous-intensity PA/total exercise ratio achieved lowest risk of mortality, regardless of individuals with or without PF impairment.
Conclusions:
There were significant independent and joint relationships of lower PA and PF impairment with the elevated risk of mortality. However, engaging in appropriate total exercise weekly can mitigate adverse effects associated with mild PF decline.
More Related Videos
07:10Home-Based Prescribed Pulmonary Exercise in Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Published on: August 24, 2019
07:09Assessment of Pulmonary Capillary Blood Volume, Membrane Diffusing Capacity, and Intrapulmonary Arteriovenous Anastomoses During Exercise
Published on: February 20, 2017
Related Concept Videos
01:20Lifestyle Factors and Health
Benefits of Physical Activity
Physical activity, whether through structured exercise or casual activities like walking, biking, or dancing, is a cornerstone of a...
01:25Pulmonary Function Tests
Pulmonary Function Tests are crucial diagnostic tools for assessing respiratory function, particularly in patients with chronic respiratory disorders. They comprehensively evaluate lung volumes, ventilatory function, breathing mechanics, diffusion, and gas exchange. These tests help diagnose pulmonary diseases and play a significant role in monitoring disease progression, evaluating disability, and assessing response to therapy.
PFTs involve using a spirometer, a...
01:19Factors Affecting Pulmonary Ventilation
Alveolar Surface Tension
The alveolar fluid lines the luminal surface of the alveoli and exerts a force called surface tension. This force is caused by the polar water molecules in the liquid being more strongly attracted to each...
01:20Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology
Chronic Inflammation
01:20COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features
The primary cause for the onset of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollution. These hazardous factors initiate a chain reaction within the lungs, resulting in chronic inflammation, damage to the airways, and a...
01:28Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract I: Health History
Subjective Data
Subjective data provides vital information about the patient's health history and symptoms. This data is typically collected through interviews in which patients describe their experiences, symptoms, and concerns.
Health history and...