Objective The link between physical activity with respiratory health and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains weak and under-investigated. The limited existing research seems to suggest that systemic inflammation could lie in the causal pathway of this relationship, and that inflammatory-related conditions may modify this potential causal mechanism, although these hypotheses remain largely understudied. This project will investigate 1) the effect of physical activity on lung function decline and COPD incidence in European adults, as well as 2) the mediating role of systemic inflammation and 3) the influence of biological (BMI, co-existing chronic inflammatory diseases), behavioural (diet, smoking) and environmental (air pollution, greenness, ultraviolet radiation) factors on this relationship. Data from over 18,000 subjects from 3 large population-based adult cohorts (ECHRS, SAPALDIA and NFBC), for which data on lung function and physical activity were prospectively collected during at least two follow-ups approximately a decade apart, will be included. Lung function was measured by spirometry according to international standards. Physical activity frequency, duration and type was collected using self-reported (ECRHS and NFBC) or interviewer-administered (SAPALDIA) questionnaires. Systemic inflammation will be assessed using C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 levels in serum. Data on the inflammation-related factors of interest were collected by the cohorts or derived from previous/ongoing collaborations. Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations, and potential interactive effects, will be examined by centre/cohort and combined estimates will be derived.Given that lung function is an important determinant of health and that physical activity is one of a very few prevalent individually-modifiable risk factors, the results of the proposed research have the potential for wide-spread implications as well as public health and economic impacts. Fields of science medical and health scienceshealth sciencespublic healthmedical and health scienceshealth sciencesinflammatory diseasesengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringair pollution engineeringmedical and health scienceshealth sciencesnutritionnatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesenvironmental sciencespollution Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2015-EF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF) Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2015 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF Coordinator FUNDACION PRIVADA INSTITUTO DE SALUD GLOBAL BARCELONA Net EU contribution € 170 121,60 Address C ROSSELLO 132 PLANTA 05 08036 Barcelona Spain See on map Region Este Cataluña Barcelona Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 170 121,60