Is daily physical activity affected by dynamic hyperinflation in adults with cystic fibrosis?

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between dynamic hyperinflation and daily physical activity (DPA) in adults with cystic fibrosis (CF). Methods: Thirty-four clinically stable CF were studied. All patients undertook incremental cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). CPET-related measurements included: oxygen uptake (V'O2), carbon dioxide production (V'CO2), ventilatory profile, work rate (W), inspiratory capacity (IC), end-expiratory lung volume (EELV). PA was assessed using the accelerometer SenseWear Pro3 Armband. Results: Exercise tolerance was reduced in most of patients and the mean V'O2,peakvalue was 75.2% of predicted (28.5±4.8 ml/min/kg). Seventy % of patients responded to CPET with dynamic hyperinflation. Higher incidence of dynamic hyperinflation was found in CF males compared to CF females (p=0.026). Patients who developed dynamic hyperinflation during CPET had higher vigorous PA (p=0.01) and more total energy expenditure (p=0.006) than patients who did not. EELVΔ was related to activities requiring vigorous intensity and total energy expenditure (R=0.46, p=0.001; R=0.57, p< 0.001). Conclusions: In adults with CF and mild to moderate lung impairment, DPA might not be limited by dynamic hyperinflation.