Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, cardio-vascular diseases
Participants randomized to the physical activity intervention group will engage in a three months individualized training program. The exercise programme includes three times per week guided group-based exercise in which included in twice a week Nordic walking exercise and once a week muscle strength, balance, and flexibility exercise. In addition to supporting independent practice, participants will be guided through individual self-practice. The training time increases progressively from 30 minutes to an hour during the intervention. The Nordic-walking training is designed to be progressive, monitoring the workload of the training with a heart rate monitor. The exercise programme will be given to the subjects in written form and its implementation will be monitored and supported by supervised exercise sessions, giving the subjects the opportunity to discuss with the physiotherapist the exercise. The physical activity training during the intervention will be monitored by means of a physical activity diary. In addition, daily physical activity in both groups will be monitored using ActiGraph GT3X accelerometers (ActiGraphTM wGT3X-B; Pensacola, FL, USA) and an exercise diary (exercise card) throughout the three months. The ECG of the intervention group will be monitored using a Beat2Phone (Vital-Signum, Helsinki, Finland) during exercise and recovery. People in the control group are encouraged to continue their daily activities and physical activity as they have done independently in the past. Control group participants will receive physical activity guidance and advice at 3 months from the start of the physical activity intervention to support independent physical activity during the follow-up period. Randomization Randomization is stratified for asthma and COPD participants. After the baseline measurements, the patients will be randomized by permuted block randomization based on computer-generated random numbers and these blocks are created to asthma and COPD p
Current inclusion criteria as of 02/09/2025: 1. Place of residence: North Savo region 2. Age 55-80 years 3. To have well-controlled asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or sleep apnea 4. No recurrent exacerbations or daily symptoms 5. Symptoms score in COPD Assessment Test™ (CAT) < 10 points 6. Forced expiratory volume in one second FEV1, measurement Z-score ≥ -2.5 7. No need for regular symptom-relieving medication 8. The health status (physician assessment) is adequate for participation in physical exercise. 9. New York Heart Association classification (NYHA) 1-2 10. Self-reported low physical activity: Does not engage in physical activity independently or in guided groups on a weekly basis. Engages in physical activity an average of 1–3 times or less per week. 11. Normal or mildly elevated blood pressure Previous inclusion criteria as of 07/11/2024: 1. Place of residence: Kuopio and Siilinjärvi, North Savo region 2. Age 55-80 years 3. To have well-controlled asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 4. No recurrent exacerbations or daily symptoms 5. Symptoms score in COPD Assessment Test™ (CAT) < 10 points 6. Forced expiratory volume in one second FEV1, measurement Z-score ≥ -2.5 7. No need for regular symptom-relieving medication 8. The health status (physician assessment) is adequate for participation in physical exercise. 9. New York Heart Association classification (NYHA) 1-2 10. Self-reported low physical activity: Does not engage in physical activity independently or in guided groups on a weekly basis. Engages in physical activity an average of 1–3 times or less per week. 11. Normal or mildly elevated blood pressure Previous inclusion criteria: 1. Place of residence: Kuopio, North Savo region 2. Age 55-75 years 3. To have well-controlled asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 4. No recurrent exacerbations or daily symptoms 5. Symptoms score in COPD Assessment Test™ (CAT) < 10 points 6. Forced expiratory volum
Current exclusion criteria as of 02/09/2025: 1. Place of residence: Other than North Savo region 2. Age under 55 years or over 80 years 3. Suffers from uncontrolled asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 4. Experiences recurrent exacerbations or daily symptoms 5. Symptoms score in COPD Assessment Test™ (CAT ) >10 points 6. Forced expiratory volume in one second FEV1,FEV1 measurement Z-score < -2.5 7. Requires regular symptom-relieving medication 8. Physician-identified health barrier to participate in the intervention 9. Severe/unstable heart disease, not well controlled 10. Symptoms during exertion/exercise in daily life 11. New York Heart Association classification (NYHA) 3-4 12. Engages in moderate or vigorous physical activity actively more than 3 times a week 13. Blood pressure 160/100 mmHg (discretionary) Previous exclusion criteria as of 07/11/2024: 1. Place of residence: Other than Kuopio or Siilinjärvi, North Savo region 2. Age under 55 years or over 80 years 3. Suffers from uncontrolled asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 4. Experiences recurrent exacerbations or daily symptoms 5. Symptoms score in COPD Assessment Test™ (CAT ) >10 points 6. Forced expiratory volume in one second FEV1,FEV1 measurement Z-score < -2.5 7. Requires regular symptom-relieving medication 8. Physician-identified health barrier to participate in the intervention 9. Severe/unstable heart disease, not well controlled 10. Symptoms during exertion/exercise in daily life 11. New York Heart Association classification (NYHA) 3-4 12. Engages in moderate or vigorous physical activity actively more than 3 times a week 13. Blood pressure 160/100 mmHg (discretionary) Previous exclusion criteria: 1. Place of residence: Other than Kuopio, North Savo region 2. Age under 55 years or over 75 years 3. Suffers from uncontrolled asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 4. Experiences recurrent exacerbations or daily symptoms 5. Symptoms score in COPD A