COPD: walking protects against the hospital

All content is checked by medical journalists.

MunichChronic cough, expectoration, shortness of breath - a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heavy burden. Researchers found that even a little movement brings a lot to those affected. Those who take a walk of three to six kilometers three times a week have to go to the hospital less often than if they don't want to exercise.

Reduced tidal volume

For the study, researchers led by Cristóbal Esteban from the Galdakao-Usansolo Hospital in Spain recruited 543 COPD patients who had been admitted to various clinics because of a flare-up. The scientists asked the lung patients about their exercise habits. They also used breath tests to determine the patient's exhalation volume. On average, it was only 52 percent of the volume that would be expected in a healthy person of the same age, sex and stature. Based on the hospital data, the researchers were able to track how often the study participants had to be treated as inpatients over the next few years.

Effective activity

The study ultimately included the data from all patients who the researchers examined and questioned at least once more within a period of two to five years - there were 391 in total. The result: participants who were particularly inactive had to each other Get hospitalized almost twice as often as those who exercise regularly. The disease also progressed faster in them. An activity level that corresponded to a distance of three to six kilometers three days a week was sufficient for the effect.

The study also shows that the patients had to stay on the ball when it came to exercise: for previously more physically active patients who moved less during the course of the study, the number of hospital stays doubled.

Two hours a week

“COPD patients are less physically active than healthy people. Regular exercise reduces the risk of hospital stays and mortality, ”explains study leader Esteban. Even a low level of physical activity, such as walking two hours a week, reduces the risk.

COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a chronic disease of the lungs caused by inflamed and permanently narrowed airways. The main risk factor is smoking. Around 90 percent of all those affected are smokers or ex-smokers. About 20 percent of long-time cigarette smokers develop COPD. In Germany, COPD ranked fifth in the cause of death statistics in 2010 (Federal Statistical Office). (cf)

Source: Cristóbal Esteban et al .: Influence of changes in physical activity on frequency of hospitalization in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Respirology. doi: 10.1111 / or.12239

Tags:  alcohol skin care diet