Physical activity levels and modes of physical activity among Canadian adults with obstructive respiratory disease

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate physical activity levels and modes of physical activity among Canadian adults with obstructive respiratory disease. Methods: Data from respondents with self-reported asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and a combination of asthma and COPD (CAC) from the Canadian Community Health Survey (2013) were used for analysis. Self-reported physical activity was used to categorize respondents as active or inactive. Self-reported modes of physical activity were grouped into the following categories: walking, endurance activities, recreation activities, conventional exercise, sports, and no physical activity. Results: Adults with COPD and CAC had the lowest participation in all modes of physical activity, compared to adults without respiratory disease. Physically active adults with CAC were less likely to report hypertension than those who were inactive. Conclusions: Physical activity levels among adults with COPD and CAC are low; while physical activity preferences in adults with asthma did not differ from the general population.