Associations of Total Weekly Physical Activity Volume and Time Spent/Day in Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity with Physical-Functional Outcomes in Individuals with COPD

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to compare the associations of total weekly physical activity (PA) volume and time spent/day in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) with physical-functional outcomes in individuals with COPD. Methods: Patients underwent cross-sectional assessments of daily PA (7 days, measured by accelerometry), lung function, body composition, six-min walk test (6MWT), peripheral muscle strength and dyspnea. Results: Ninety-one individuals with COPD (45 men; 66 ± 8 years; FEV1 50 ± 16%predict) were studied. Both time spent/day in MVPA and total weekly PA volume were similarly associated with 6MWT, fat mass, and fat-free mass in simple correlations (0.23 < r < 0.46, p < 0.05 for all) and also in simple and multiple linear regression analyses. No significant correlations with other outcomes were found. Additionally, the correlation between total weekly PA volume and time spent/day in MVPA was strong (r = 0.78, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: In individuals with COPD, both time spent/day in MVPA and total weekly PA volume showed broadly comparable associations with physical-functional outcomes.