An Official ERS Statement on Physical Activity in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a highly prevalent chronic respiratory disease affecting about 10% of the adult population above 40 years of age. Besides progressive chronic airflow limitation patients with COPD may also present multiple extra-pulmonary effects and comorbidities. This may, at least in part, be explained by the low levels of regular physical activity in patients with COPD. The “Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease” has recommended regular physical activity for all patients with COPD. However, the clinical relevance of regular physical activity has not been addressed in depth. The purpose of this Official European Respiratory Society (ERS) Statement is to highlight the existing science regarding physical (in)activity in patients with COPD, including, but not limited to, its prevalence, determinants, consequences, measurement, and possible treatment.