Objectives: The effect of the co-occurrence of whole-body muscle wasting and respiratory muscle weakness on the clinical characteristics of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is unclear. We investigated this association in patients with chronic respiratory diseases. Methods: 47 outpatients with mild to very severe COPD were classified into four groups according to their fat-free mass index and respiratory muscle strength: 19 without muscle wasting and respiratory muscle weakness (normal), 6 with muscle wasting only (MW), 11 with respiratory weakness only (RW), and 11 with muscle wasting and respiratory weakness (MW + RW). We measured their body composition, pulmonary function, lower muscle strength, submaximal exercise capacity, physical activity in daily life, nutritional status, frailty status, and health-related quality of life (QOL). Multiple linear regression analyses examined the association of muscle wasting and/or respiratory muscle weakness with participant characteristics, using each participant’s characteristics as an explained variable adjusted for confounding variables (Normal as the reference). Results: The regression analysis revealed that the percentage of vital capacity, lower muscle strength, submaximal exercise capacity, nutritional status, and frailty status were worse in the MW + RW group than in the Normal group. The MR + RW group had the largest number of variables with significant differences compared to the Normal group. Conclusions: These data suggest that the co-occurrence of whole-body muscle wasting and respiratory muscle weakness was significantly associated with deteriorating clinical characteristics in patients with COPD.

Objectives: Physical activity is a relevant factor for the locomotive syndrome (LS); however, the association between intensity of physical activity and LS is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the associations among different intensities of physical activity (vigorous, moderate, and light), sedentary time, and LS. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of records from 2890 Japanese community residents (mean age: 57.5 years) was conducted. LS was assessed using the stand-up test, two-step test, and 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale. Physical activity and sedentary time were assessed by self-administered questionnaires. The associations among physical activity, sedentary time, and LS were examined by logistic regression analysis stratified by age (<65 years and ≥65 years) and sex. Results: Vigorous physical activity in men aged ≥65 years, and moderate and vigorous physical activities in women aged <65 years were significantly associated with lower odds of LS. By contrast, no significant association was found between physical activity and LS in men <65 years and women ≥65 years of age. No association between light physical activity and the LS was found in either group. The association between sedentary time and LS was observed in women aged <65 years. Conclusions: Physical activity and sedentary time were associated with the LS but in an age- and sex-dependent manner. This study highlights the importance of engaging individuals in high-intensity physical activity to prevent or address LS.