Three in 10 people are left gasping for air after walking up a flight of stairs, a survey has found.

Researchers found the average adult will feel breathless six times a week, often as a result of "light to moderate" exercise. Four in 10 have had to catch their breath after running for a bus while one quarter get out of breath during sex.

Nearly one in 10 struggle to pick something up off the floor without needing to catch their breath afterwards, while more than a fifth of employees admitted to feeling light-headed during the course of a workday, when the pressure and stress became too much.

“It’s worrying that so many people found themselves out of breath performing simple actions," said Mike McKevitt, Director of Patient Services for the British Lung Foundation, which commissioned the study. "Breathlessness doing everyday tasks could be a symptom of lung disease and is something that shouldn’t be ignored.

“There are many people in the UK who may have a lung disease but do not have a diagnosis. Even though more than four in 10 people think they’re fit and healthy, you can see from the results this may not be the case. If you’re breathless doing every day tasks that’s not right. Lung health is so important to our overall wellbeing.”

The study, of 2,000 adults, found more than 25 per cent exercise less than once a week, with just one quarter saying they would be comfortable to play a game of football or netball at their current level of fitness.

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Worryingly, a third of the population say they would not be able to run a mile "if their life depended on it."

After running out of breath, it takes an average of 38 seconds to get it back – with one in 20 adults needing more than two minutes to collect themselves.

While 44 per cent of respondents believed their current level of fitness has a negative impact on their lives, there are myriad excuses as to why they haven’t done anything about it.

Fifteen per cent say they have an injury that stops them from doing any exercise and the same amount said they were always too tired to work out.

And a tenth enjoy a sedentary life too much to get up and do some exercise to improve their lung health.

McKevitt added: “We shouldn’t be getting out of breath when playing with our children. That’s a warning sign that you should think seriously about getting advice.

“No matter your circumstances, it’s possible to make yourself a little bit fitter and your lungs a little bit healthier.

“Small changes like walking up the stairs rather than taking the lift or getting off the bus a stop early can make a real difference.”