L6 Environmental Correlates of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Introduction and Objectives Physical activity predicts important health outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and is recognised as a therapeutic treatment that is recommended in current disease management guidelines. Environmental factors have the potential to influence physical activity, however, there are limited data in this clinical population. Therefore, the objective of the present study is to investigate both atmospheric and physical environmental correlates of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in individuals with COPD. Methods Socio-demographic and behavioural data were collected from a prospective cohort of 418 individuals with COPD (65% female; 58 ± 8 years). Physical activity behaviour was captured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, while sitting time was used as a measure of sedentary behaviour. Environmental data was drawn from a national environmental data repository and individually matched to each participant’s postal code. Environmental variables included social and material deprivation, urban form index, surrounding greenness, and air quality (concentrations of air pollution for fine particles; nitrogen dioxide; ozone; and sulphur dioxide). Logistic and multivariate linear regression models were used to investigate the strongest environmental predictors of physical activity and sedentary behaviour, respectively. Results In the models, a statistically significant correlation was shown between physical activity level and ozone pollution (p = 0.023; Adjusted OR = 0.85; 95%CI = 0.74–0.98). Indicating, that a higher level of physical activity was associated with a lower level of ozone pollution in the environment. Urban form index was significantly associated with sitting time per day (beta = 0.113; t-value = 1.71; p = 0.011). Suggesting, that those living in less urban environments spend less time sedentary. ‘Self-rated health’ of the participants was positively correlated with physical activity level (p = 0.006; Adjusted OR = 2.22; 95%CI = 1.25–3.94), and inversely correlated with sitting time per day (beta = -0.159; t-value = -2.42; p = 0.016). Conclusions Physical activity is a complex behaviour influenced by a combination of individual, sociocultural, and environmental factors. Clinicians may wish to consider the individual’s environment in the discussion and prescription of physical activity/exercise; particularly when hospital based, face-to-face, pulmonary rehabilitation is not possible.