• Nidia Aparecida Hernandes, Denilson de Castro Teixeira, Vanessa Suziane Probst, Antonio Fernando Brunetto, Ercy Mara Cipulo Ramos, and Fábio Pitta.
• Respiratory Therapy Research Laboratory, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Brazil.
• J Bras Pneumol. 2009 Oct 1;35(10):949-56.

ObjectiveTo evaluate characteristics of physical activities in daily life in COPD patients in Brazil, correlating those characteristics with physiological variables.MethodsPhysical activities in daily life were evaluated in 40 COPD patients (18 males; 66 + or - 8 years of age; FEV(1) = 46 + or - 16 % of predicted; body mass index = 27 + or - 6 kg/m(2)) and 30 healthy age- and gender-matched subjects, using a multiaxial accelerometer-based sensor for 12 h/day on two consecutive days. We also assessed maximal and functional exercise capacity, using the incremental exercise test and the six-minute walk test (6MWT), respectively; MIP and MEP; peripheral muscle force, using the one-repetition maximum test and the handgrip test; quality of life, using the Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ); functional status, using the London Chest Activity of Daily Living questionnaire; and dyspnea sensation, using the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale.ResultsMean walking time/day was shorter for COPD patients than for the controls (55 + or - 33 vs. 80 + or - 28 min/day; p = 0.001), as movement intensity was lower (1.9 + or - 0.4 vs. 2.3 + or - 0.6 m/s(2); p = 0.004). The COPD patients also tended to spend more time seated (294 + or - 114 vs. 246 + or - 122 min/day, p = 0.08). Walking time/day correlated with the 6MWT (r = 0.42; p = 0.007) and maximal workload (r = 0.41; p = 0.009), as well as with age, MRC scale score and SGRQ activity domain score (-0.31 < or = r < or = -0.43; p < or = 0.05 for all).ConclusionsThis sample of Brazilian patients with COPD, although more active than those evaluated in studies conducted in Europe, were less active than were the controls. Walking time/day correlated only moderately with maximal and functional exercise capacity.

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