How many steps are enough to avoid severe physical inactivity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?

Abstract

While prognostically valuable, physical activity monitoring is not routinely performed for patients with COPD. We aimed to determine the number of daily steps associated with severe physical inactivity (physical activity level <1.40) in this population. We found that a daily step value <4580 is associated with severe physical inactivity. Our results are of significant value for clinicians counselling patients with COPD to help avoid the morbidity of severe physical inactivity. © 2012 The Authors. Respirology © 2012 Asian Pacific Society of Respirology.