Disease severity, activities of daily living and exercise capacity in patients with chronic pulmonary disease

Abstract

Chronic Pulmonary Disease (CPD) often causes a reduction in physical activity and lower limb dysfunction. This study determined combined and individual contributions of measures of activity of daily living (type and volume) and FEV1 to arm and leg ergometry ability of CPD patients. The 44 patients with mild to very severe airflow obstruction (mean FEV1% predicted=54.64±18.27) consisted of 16 males and 28 females (mean age=59.80±11.92yrs). All participants completed spirometry, International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and were graded for pulmonary disease severity using the Medical Research Council degree of breathlessness scale. Additional assessments included Physical Activity of Daily Living (PADL), body composition, sub-maximal arm and leg ergometry, grip strength and isokinetic quadriceps and hamstring strength and endurance. The t-test, ANOVA and partial correlations were conducted. Total upper body and lower body physical activity showed no statistically significant relationships with measures of peripheral muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness. Leg strength contributed more to arm and leg ergometry ability than measures of physical activity. This study highlights the importance of assessing upper and lower limb strength in patients with CPD and endorses the incorporation of specified lower limb strength training in rehabilitation programmes, especially for those with reduced strength and physical activity levels.

Keywords: Chronic pulmonary disease; Activities of daily living; Arm and leg strength; Arm and leg ergometry