Effect of physical training on fat-free mass in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Margareta Emtner,Runa Hallin,Ragnheiður Harpa Arnardottir,Christer Janson

doi:10.3109/03009734.2014.990124

Margareta Emtner, Runa Hallin + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3109/03009734.2014.990124

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Abstract

Background. Weight loss and depletion of fat-free mass are common problems in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and are related to muscular weakness and exercise intolerance. Physical training of COPD patients has good effect on exercise tolerance and quality of life. The aim of this study was to examine factors that affect change in fat-free mass after physical training, in patients with COPD.Patients. Patients were examined before and after a 4-month exercise period. Weight and height were measured, and bioelectrical impedance was performed. Fat-free mass (FFM) was calculated, by a three-compartment model, and fat-free mass index (FFMI) was calculated as FFM kg/m2 and body mass index (BMI) as kg/m2. A symptom-limited ramp ergometer test and 12-minute walk test (12MWT) were performed. Dyspnoea score of daily activities was determined by Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire (CRDQ). Blood was taken for analyses of C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen. Patients with a BMI <21 kg/m2 were given nutritional support during the training period.Results. A total of 27 patients completed the training (64 years, FEV1 31% of predicted). Patients with low FFMI gained 1.2 kg, whereas those with normal FFMI lost 0.7 kg (p = 0.04). In multivariate analyses high age (p = 0.03), low FEV1 (p = 0.02), and a high level of dyspnoea (p = 0.01) at baseline were found to be negative predictors for increase in FFM.Conclusions. Difficulties in increasing the fat-free mass in COPD patients by physical training seem to be associated with dyspnoea in daily life and impaired lung function (FEV1).

Highlights

There is growing evidence that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a multi-organ systemic disease
Nutritional supplementation during the exercise training period was given to all patients with body mass index (BMI) below 21 kg/m2 at baseline; this meant that most patients with low fat-free mass index (FFMI) received supplementation, whereas none of the patients with normal FFMI received supplementation (Figure 1)
Significant correlations were found between changes in Fat-free mass (FFM) and FEV1, FFMI, dyspnoea score, and fibrinogen at baseline (Table II)

Summary

Introduction

There is growing evidence that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a multi-organ systemic disease. Muscle wasting, and impaired exercise performance, which are poorly related to air flow limitation, have commonly been reported in COPD patients [1]. Patients with low fat-free mass (FFM) often have muscular weakness, especially in the lower limbs [8]. Weight loss and depletion of fat-free mass are common problems in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and are related to muscular weakness and exercise intolerance. Physical training of COPD patients has good effect on exercise tolerance and quality of life. The aim of this study was to examine factors that affect change in fat-free mass after physical training, in patients with COPD. Difficulties in increasing the fat-free mass in COPD patients by physical training seem to be associated with dyspnoea in daily life and impaired lung function (FEV1)

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