Prevention: Physical activity

2. Prevention of disease progression and exacerbation

2.3 Physical activity

It is defined as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscle that leads to energy expenditure. This includes exercise, activity of daily life (everyday tasks, self-care, and independence), domestic and leisure activities, transportation (commuting activities). Optimal physical activity is the key component to maintaining sustainable benefit of successful pulmonary rehabilitation.

(Image from IPCRG Position paper with permission from IPCRG, licensed CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)

Physical inactivity is not merely the absence of physical activity, it is defined if the following criteria are not met:

• At least 30 minutes moderate intensity physical activity for 5 or more days a week
• Vigorous physical activities for 20 minutes 3 days every week
• Shorter bouts of three-times moderate 10 minute or two-times vigorous 10 minute activities.

Every attempt should be taken to improve all the domains of physical activity.