Association of Resistance Training and Moderate-to-vigorous Physical Activity with Clinical Outcomes in Men with Airflow Limitation: a Nationwide Population-based Study

Aerobic moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is recommended for individuals with chronic diseases. However, the association between resistance training (RT) in addition to moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sleep duration, as well as respiratory symptoms, in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has not been thoroughly investigated. This population-based cross-sectional study used data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2014 and 2019. A total of 61,754 individuals were identified and men with airflow limitation (FEV/FVC < 0.7) who engaged in aerobic MVPA were selected (n = 794). Weighted percentages and odds ratio (OR) of sleep problems (≤ 5 or ≥ 9 h), chronic cough, and chronic sputum were estimated. A multivariate-adjusted complex sample logistic regression model was used to calculate ORs and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Subgroup analyses were conducted using the forced expiratory volume (FEV) % of the predicted value (%pred) ≥ 80 vs. < 80. The percentages of sleep problems, chronic cough, and chronic sputum production were lower in men who underwent aerobic MVPA + RT than in those who underwent aerobic MVPA alone. The multivariable-adjusted OR of sleep problems was 0.44 (95% CI 0.25-0.77) in individuals undergoing aerobic MVPA + RT compared to aerobic MVPA alone. The ORs of chronic cough and sputum were 0.35 (95% CI 0.13-0.94) and 0.51 (95% CI 0.30-0.87), respectively. These associations were only significant in individuals with FEV < 80% pred. Compared with aerobic MVPA alone, aerobic MVPA + RT was associated with appropriate sleep duration and a decrease in chronic cough and sputum in male with airflow limitation. This was more pronounced in individuals with a FEV < 80% pred.