Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who increase their daily physical activity levels may reduce their risk of hospitalizations for COPD exacerbation, according to a study in Respirology.
Researchers examined hospitalization rates of COPD patients who self-reported their physical activity levels.
They found patients with low physical activity levels, or those who decreased their physical activity levels over time, were more likely to experience hospitalization for COPD exacerbation. Comparatively, patients engaged in a regular walking regimen were hospitalized only 53 percent as often as patients who did not walk regularly, according to a BioNewsTexas report on the study.
Researchers suggest increasing physical activity and maintaining a high activity level over time may decrease hospitalizations for COPD exacerbation.
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