There is a lower limit for physical activity per week based on age.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated April 6 as World Day of Physical Activity and Exercise to highlight its role as an essential element of overall health.

For each age group specific lower limits of physical activitycompliance with which is necessary in order for its beneficial effects on cardiovascular function, respiratory reserves, metabolic profile and cognitive functions to be possible.

In particular adults are recommended to do at least 150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week, combined with muscle-strengthening exercises at least twice a week, and adults over 65 should also do balance-improving exercises. The general principles governing recommended physical activity are similar in patients with respiratory diseases, reports the Hellenic Society of Pulmonology (HPE).

Unfortunately, despite international recommendations, less than 25% of the population is sufficiently physically active. Some of the main factors associated with physical activity deficiency are older age, poor functional status, low socioeconomic status, and comorbidities. However, they are also factors associated with worse physical condition and more severe disease in patients with respiratory disease.

Thus, the patients who require the most physical activity are the ones who do the least. The result is a worsening vicious cycle of shortness of breath, decreased ability to exercise, poor quality of life, and inability to self-care.

Typically, patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who demonstrate moderate or high physical activity have significantly better survival than those with low or very low physical activity. For this reason, the recommendation for sufficient physical activity and repeated structured exercise forms the basis of its non-pharmacological treatment, which is reflected in all international guidelines, and has recently been included in recommendations for the treatment of COPD.

The Greek Society of Pulmonologists has created ZoimeHAP – https://www.zoimehap.gr/ (the first Greek website dedicated to home exercises for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) based on national recommendations.

There you can also find information/guidance for patients with long-term COVID, information and education activities, as well as for patients with other respiratory diseases.

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