INFLUENCE OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON THE RESULTS OF A SIX-MINUTE WALK TEST IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC RESPIRATORY DISEASES

Kronične respiratorne bolesti prema Međunarodnoj klasifikaciji bolesti jedna su od najbrojnijih skupina oboljenja. Najčešće kronične respiratorne bolesti su: astma, kronična opstruktivna plućna bolest, alergijske bolesti i oboljenja respiratornog sustava uzrokovana zagađenjem. Kronične respiratorne bolesti kao takve smanjuju funkcionalne sposobnosti i kvalitetu svakodnevnog života zahtijevajući od oboljelih veliku prilagodbu svakodnevnih aktivnosti dugoročno. Stoga su plućna rehabilitacija i tjelesna aktivnost ključne u oporavku i prilagodbi svakodnevnog života ovih bolesnika. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je ispitati utjecaj tjelesne aktivnosti na rezultate šestominutnog testa hodanja kod pacijenata s kroničnim respiratornim bolestima. U istraživanju je sudjelovalo 30 ispitanika (N = 30) koji su uključeni u proces plućne rehabilitacije, pod vodstvom fizioterapeutskog tima Specijalne bolnice za plućne bolesti (SBZPB) u Zagrebu te uz provođenje svakodnevne preporučene tjelesne aktivnosti naposljetku testirani šestominutnim testom hodanja. Program plućne rehabilitacije i svakodnevno provođenje preporučene tjelesne aktivnosti učinkoviti su u povećanju funkcionalnih sposobnosti, te u smanjenju osjećaja zaduhe i umora kod pacijenata s kroničnim respiratornim oboljenjima. Preporučenu razinu tjelesne aktivnosti, kao i naučene vježbe u programu plućne rehabilitacije nužno je nastaviti provoditi kako bi se održala funkcionalna sposobnost pacijenata te održala razina kvalitete života.Chronic respiratory diseases according to the International Classification of Diseases are one of the most numerous group of diseases. The most common chronic respiratory diseases are: asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, allergic diseases and diseases of the respiratory system caused by pollution. Chronic respiratory diseases as such reduce the functional abilities and quality of daily life by requiring patients to make large adjustments to daily activities in the long run. Therefore, pulmonary rehabilitation and physical activity are crucial in the recovery and adjustment of the daily lives of these patients. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of physical activity on the results of a six-minute walking test in patients with chronic respiratory disease. The study involved 30 subjects (N = 30) involved in the process of pulmonary rehabilitation, led by the physiotherapy team of the Special Hospital for Lung Diseases (SBZPB) in Zagreb and with the implementation of daily recommended physical activity, finally tested with a six-minute walking test. The pulmonary rehabilitation program and daily implementation of the recommended physical activity are effective in increasing functional abilities, and in reducing feelings of shortness of breath and fatigue in patients with chronic respiratory diseases. The recommended level of physical activity, as well as the exercises learned in the pulmonary rehabilitation program, must be continued in order to maintain the functional ability of patients and maintain the level of quality of life