Associated Factors of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Adult Patients With Asthma

Physical activity (PA) and sedentary time (ST) can both be considered behavioral treatable traits that can coexist in patients with asthma. Low levels of PA and high levels of ST can negatively influence patients' health.

To determine the distribution over the PA/ST-based quadrants, and what differences exist in clinical characteristics between these PA/ST-based quadrants.

Data were collected in adult patients with asthma at their first-time ever outpatient consultation with a pulmonologist. PA and ST were assessed using the DynaPort MoveMonitor triaxial accelerometer. Patients were classified into quadrants: "couch potatoes" (inactive [<7000 steps/d] and sedentary [>70% time spend sedentary]), "light movers" (inactive and nonsedentary), "sedentary exercisers" (active and sedentary), or "busy bees" (active and nonsedentary).

A total of 452 adult patients with asthma (63% women; age, 49 ± 16 years; FEV₁, 87% ± 17% predicted; Asthma Control Questionnaire score, 1.9 ± 1.0 points; Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire score, 4.8 ± 1.2 points) were included. On average, patients walked 7391 ± 3317 steps per day, and were sedentary for 18 ± 2 hours per day. Most patients were classified as couch potatoes (42%) or sedentary exercisers (38%); 15% were defined as busy bees, and 5% as light movers. Couch potatoes displayed significant differences, in age, persistent smoking, body mass index, dyspnea, six-minute walk test, asthma control, quality of life, FEV₁, and fatigue.

Patients with asthma show dispersion across all quadrants based on PA and ST. Patients with both a low PA and high ST display significantly lower asthma control and disease-specific quality of life compared with other groups. Therefore, a behavior change intervention should focus on both aspects.