Koreny and teammates evaluated how urban design influences the activity levels of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They determined via research with people with mild-to-very severe COPD that “higher population density was associated with fewer steps, more sedentary time and worse exercise capacity. . . . Pedestrian street length related with more steps and less sedentary time. . . . Steeper slope was associated with better exercise capacity. . . . Higher NO2 [nitrogen dioxide] levels related with more sedentary time and more difficulty in physical activity. PM2.5 [particulate matter] and noise were not associated with physical activity or exercise capacity. . . . Population density, pedestrian street length, slope and NO2 exposure relate to physical activity and capacity of COPD patients living in highly populated areas.”
Maria Koreny, Ane Arbillaga-Etxarri, Magda de Basea and 9 others. 2022. “Urban Environment and Physical Activity and Capacity in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.” Environmental Research, vol. 214, Part 2, 113956, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2022.113956