Combined Resistance And Aerobic Training Program On Functional Physical Performance In COPD Patients

Abstract

Poor exercise tolerance and peripheral muscle dysfunction are two of the most common things reported in moderate to severe COPD patients. Aerobic training improves exercise tolerance but has no major consequences on muscle weakness. On the other hand, resistance training of the lower limbs by itself can improve strength. Therefore a combination of strength and endurance during the same workout session rather than separate events could be a new training modality for COPD patients. PURPOSE: to assess a combined exercise protocol (resistance and endurance) that could improve exercise tolerance compared to an aerobic exercise protocol. METHODS: COPD patients in stable condition were randomized into experimental (Exp, n=6) and control (Ctl, n=2) groups (Age=69.5±6.1 VS 75.5±3.5 years, N.S; FEV1=0.71±0.19 VS 1.31±0.26 L, p=0.012, respectively). All patients had functional performance evaluated by the sit to stand test (STST) and the 6 minute walk test (6MWT). The patients in both groups received routine training sessions for 3 weeks (5 days per week). Training sessions in both groups comprised upper body strength exercises for 30 minutes; then, the Ctl group performed 30 minutes of aerobic exercise (motorized treadmill or ergocycle), and the Exp group completed 30 minutes of combined aerobic-resistance exercise (non-motorized treadmill belt, HiTrainerTM). The Borg scale was used to measure perception of effort. RESULTS: (mean±SD): All participants were able to complete three weeks of training (14±2 sessions). The STST after training showed that the Exp group performed significantly (p=.0001) better than the Ctl group (18.0±2.8 VS 10.5±0.70 repetitions per sec, respectively). Similarly, the Exp group performed significantly (p=.0001) better in the 6MWT when compared to the Ctl group (370±39 VS 250±14.1 meters). Interestingly, the perception of effort following the 6MWT was not significantly different between groups (Exp = 13.3±2.3 VS Ctl = 14.0±1.4, N.S.). CONCLUSION: It appears that a training modality that combines both resistance and aerobic training (non-motorized treadmill) is more efficient to improve performance in muscle endurance (STST) and aerobic capacity (6MWT).