Comparison of physical activity levels in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and healthy subjects residing in hypobaric hypoxia environments.

Background: The reduced level of physical activity in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with disease severity; however, mild COPD may or may not decrease individuals' physical fitness. Currently, it is unknown whether high-altitude hypoxia is a modifying factor of physical activity levels in COPD compared to healthy subjects.

Objective: To compare physical activity levels in individuals with COPD versus healthy subjects residing in high-altitude environments.

Methods: Individuals with COPD GOLD 1(A, B) and control subjects residing at high altitudes (>2500m) were studied. Physical activity level was measured for seven days using triaxial accelerometry. Measurement variables included METs/hour, energy expenditure in kcal/hour, total daily energy expenditure, and number of steps per day.

Results: Daily caloric expenditure associated with physical activity showed only a slight decrease (3.1%) in COPD patients compared to the control group; there was a significant 61.32% lower hourly calorie consumption rate in the COPD group. Additionally, COPD patients exhibited lower MET/hour (9.64% difference) and a substantial difference in the number of steps per day, with 139.41% fewer steps compared to the control group.

Conclusion: COPD patients in hypobaric hypoxia environments exhibit significantly lower levels of physical activity compared to healthy individuals. Altitude hypoxia contributes to low levels of physical activity in both COPD patients and healthy subjects.