Physical Activity and Sedentary Time Correlate with Body Composition in Patients with Asthma; a Multicenter Observational Study

Mayuka Yamane,1 Hiroshi Iwamoto,2 Kazuma Kawamoto,2 Toshihito Otani,2 Naoko Higaki,2 Keita Murakawa,3 Ayumi Fukatsu-Chikumoto,3 Tsunahiko Hirano,3 Yoshihiro Amano,4 Takeshi Isobe,4 Kazuto Matsunaga,3 Noboru Hattori,2 Akihito Yokoyama1 1Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Nankoku, Japan; 2Department of Molecular and Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan; 3Department of Respiratory Medicine and Infectious Disease, Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan; 4Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology & Respiratory Medicine, Shimane University Faculty of Medicine, Izumo, JapanCorrespondence: Hiroshi Iwamoto, Department of Molecular and Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan, Tel +81-82-257-5196, Fax +81-82-255-7360, Email [email protected]: Increasing physical activity is recommended as a non-pharmacological approach for improving the symptoms, quality of life, and overall health in patients with asthma. However, the systemic effect of physical activity, especially sedentary behavior, in patients with asthma remains unclear.Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of objectively measured physical activity, including sedentary time, with body composition data and clinical characteristics in patients with asthma.Methods: The study included 85 patients with asthma and 38 healthy controls. Physical activity indices were assessed for 2 weeks using accelerometers. We investigated the relationship between physical activity levels and clinical characteristics, along with its association with body composition data assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and computed tomography in patients with asthma.Results: In patients with asthma, high blood eosinophil counts and poor asthma control, as assessed by the Asthma Control Questionnaire score, were associated with prolonged sedentary time and reduced step count. Moreover, reduced step count was independently associated with an elevated fat mass index, whereas a prolonged sedentary time and high oral corticosteroid doses were independently associated with a low lean mass index in patients with asthma. Prolonged sedentary time demonstrated a negative correlation with erector spinae muscle area after adjusting for background factors.Conclusion: Sedentary behavior and physical inactivity are associated with body composition in patients with asthma, suggesting the need for interventions targeting these behaviors to improve health outcomes.Keywords: asthma, physical activity, sedentary time, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, fat mass index, lean mass index