Healthy lungs from a ‘jog in the park’

Being a couch potato is the fourth biggest killer globally. EU research has looked at the effects of physical activity in Western European social and environmental conditions.

Physical inactivity is linked to major non-infectious diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Yet, there is little hard evidence linking improved respiratory health to regular physical activity. Interestingly, the few high-quality longitudinal studies available suggest that systemic inflammation may play a role, although this link remains untested.

Further information: Healthy lungs from a ‘jog in the park’