32% Of patients with COPD does physical activity despite the recommendations.

-the use of type Wii consoles can stimulate the practice of daily activity in patients with COPD

-bit active COPD patient profile is that of maleretired, with little income living with your partner or family

Spain, December of 2011- COPD patients perform a low level of physical activity to both patients and health professionals know that physical activity is associated a better quality of life of patients and a window slowing of diseaseThis is the conclusion I have reached a study conducted in 6 hospitals of the region of Valencia by a group of pulmonologists linked to the Spanish society for Pneumology and thoracic surgery, SEPAR, and to the society of Valencia of pneumology.

According to the study, one third of patients are inactive, 40% perform moderate exercise and only 30% carried out an exercise in line with the recommendations made. The causes of this little physical activity in patients not attached to a respiratory rehabilitation program are unclear but are generally associated with sedentary lifestyle that accompanies the COPD and associated pulmonary obstruction. Knowing the high prevalence of COPD, and that physical activity is very beneficial for patients, but very few of them will be able to participate in rehabilitation programs while physical activity is accessible to all, we must find ways to encourage patients to practice simple things such as daily walk ”, explains the DRA. Margarita Marín, co-author of the study.

In this regard, and in order to encourage and make more attractive for patients the practice of exercise, begin to appear study seeking to assess the effectiveness of the incorporation of new technologies through video games and consoles like the Wii in the routine of daily exercises must be suffering from COPD. The exercise using a Wii console is more intense, lasts less time and can be more fun and attractive, as it explains a study conducted by researchers from the University of Connecticut and the Hospital of Sant Francis-Hartford at United States. This study evaluates the effectiveness of exercises like running, steps, career obstacles or exercises of arm of the Wii conducted between 3-5 minutes each and concluded that they could be a good table of exercises for patients with COPD.

In COPD, as is the case in normal health conditions, the regular practice of exercise is associated with better quality of life. Besides the more active patients physically show window a slowing of the loss of lung function and a decrease in the number of exacerbations. The study carried out in the Valencian Community and published in the journal archives of Bronconeumología of SEPAR evaluates the habits of physical activity in daily life of patients with stable COPD outside respiratory rehabilitation programmes as well as the characteristics of these patients to try to find corelaciones between the level of activity and socio-economic characteristics of the patients.

Taking into account that the weekly expenditure of energy recommended for health should be at least 1050-2800 kcal, and considers that an increase in physical activity of 1,000 kilocalories per week conferring a benefit for COPD patients with regard to the risk of reduction of 20% mortality(, the study distinguishes three levels of activity: to) inactive patients, those who performed a weekly energy expenditure of less than 1,000 kilocalories per week; ((b) moderately active, those who spent between 1,000 and 3,000 kilocalories per week, and c) very assets, patients with a caloric expenditure exceeding 3,000 kilocalories per week.

The results show that a 32.6% of the patients performed one physical activity less than 1,000 kilocalories per week, 38.6% spent between 1,000 and 3,000, and the remaining 28.8% spent more than 3,000 kilocalories per week and therefore performs an energy expenditure in line with the recommendations made to obtain a beneficial effect on health and a reduction in the risk of morbidity and mortality.

Our study shows that stable COPD patients attending at the consultations of Pneumology of our hospitals, and which have not been incorporated into any respiratory rehabilitation programme, have a low level of physical activity ” explains the DRA. Marín, highlighting that a third of them are inactive and almost 40 per cent perform moderate exercise.

More inactive COPD patients have increased bronchial obstruction they refer more shortness of breath, walk less metres effort 6MWT tests and have worse quality of life. The study also analyzed the profile of these patients is characterized by a predominance of males, advanced ages and level severe (50%) or very serious (19%) of severity of COPD, accompanied by frequent co-morbidity (65%), preferably cardiovascular. From the socio-economic point of view, emphasizes a high proportion of pensioners with low incomes, low academic qualifications, and who for the most part, they live with your partner or family members.

Between data pointed by the study can not ignore the fact that 12% of this type of patients remain still smoking despite knowing the risks of tobacco and the recommendations of the specialists.