Higher Physical Activity Linked to Lower Emphysema Odds

Higher levels of physical activity are associated with lower odds of self-reported emphysema among older adults, according to a cross-sectional study that analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2007 to 2016. Emphysema is a significant public health issue, and while physical activity has previously been suggested to be associated with respiratory health, the relationship between physical activity intensity and emphysema remains insufficiently characterized.

To address this question, researchers Qiao Wei, Haiyan Song, Li Jiang, Xiuqin Li, and Jihua Zhu examined the association between different levels of physical activity and the odds of self-reported emphysema in older adult participants. The team utilized multivariable logistic regression models to evaluate the cross-sectional survey data. Within the survey, emphysema was defined on the basis of a self-reported physician diagnosis. In their analytical models, the authors adjusted for demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and comorbidities to evaluate the relationship.

The statistical results demonstrated that higher levels of physical activity were associated with lower odds of self-reported emphysema. In particular, engaging in physical activity at levels of at least 3000 MET-minutes per week was associated with lower odds of self-reported emphysema. Furthermore, the analysis identified a dose-response relationship between activity and diagnosis, showing that progressively increasing physical activity levels were associated with progressively lower odds of self-reported emphysema among the surveyed older adults.

The authors concluded that higher physical activity levels were associated with lower odds of self-reported emphysema in this cross-sectional analysis. Although these findings highlight a potential association between physical activity and self-reported emphysema, causal inference cannot be established. The authors noted that prospective studies are warranted to further evaluate this relationship and explore underlying mechanisms.

Subject of Research: Association between physical activity intensity and self-reported emphysema in older adults

Article Title: Association between physical activity intensity and self-reported emphysema: A cross-sectional study using NHANES

Article References: Wei, Q., Song, H., Jiang, L., Li, X., & Zhu, J. (2026). Association between physical activity intensity and self-reported emphysema: A cross-sectional study using NHANES. PLOS One, 21(11), e0362852. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0362852

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0362852

Keywords: emphysema, physical activity, NHANES, cross-sectional study, respiratory health, older adults, dose-response, logistic regression, MET-minutes, self-reported diagnosis, public health, lifestyle factors, comorbidities, PLOS ONE, association study, causal inference, prospective studies, respiratory disease, activity intensity, health survey