Muscle strength and endurance in COPD patients and healthy individuals – A comparative study

Abstract

Background: Many studies have been done with COPD patients focusing on the impairment of lung function in these patients. However, only few studies were done focusing on the impairment of skeletal muscle strength and endurance in COPD patients which if occurs will affect their quality of life. Aim and Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the skeletal muscle strength and endurance between COPD patients and age gender and body mass index (BMI)-matched healthy subjects. We also assessed the association between decrease in FEV1 and muscle strength and endurance. Materials and Methods: 40 male COPD patients and age and body mass index-matched healthy male subjects were studied. Dominant hand-forearm muscle strength and endurance were measured using handgrip dynamometer. FEV1, FVC, and FEVI/FVC were measured using spirometer. Muscle strength and endurance between two groups were compared and the correlation between FEV1 and muscle strength and endurance was analyzed. Results: Mean muscle strength and endurance were significantly lower in COPD patients (P < 0.001) compared to healthy subjects. Significant positive correlation between decrease in FEV1 and decrease in muscle strength (P < 0.001) and endurance (P < 0.05) was observed. Conclusion: This study shows that there is decrease in muscle strength and endurance in COPD patients. Hence, early intervention to improve muscle strength is needed for better quality of life in these patients.