Effects of exercise training in water and on land in patients with COPD

Abstract

Introduction: In the few studies about exercise performed in water in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), training programs vary considerably, making it difficult to compare with the traditional (on land) programs. Objective: To study the effects of two comparable 6-month protocols of high-intensity exercise training in patients with COPD: in water and on land. Methods: Randomized clinical trial involving 36 patients with moderate-to-severe COPD. Assessments performed pre and post-training included monitoring of physical activity in daily life, lung function, peripheral and respiratory muscle strength, body composition, maximal and submaximal exercise capacity, functional status, quality of life, anxiety, depression and comorbidities. Training protocol in both groups consisted of 6 months of high intensity endurance and strength exercises with time and/or workload gradually increased, summing up 60 sessions. The protocol in water was carefully adapted to generate similar intensity to the protocol on land. Results: After 6 months of training both groups significantly improved inspiratory, expiratory and peripheral muscle strength, exercise capacity, quality of life, functional status and physical activity in daily life (p Conclusion: High-intensity exercise training in water generates similar effects compared to training on land in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD, configuring it as an equally benefitial option to this population.