LOW-INTENSITY PERIPHERAL MUSCLE CONDITIONING IMPROVES EXERCISE TOLERANCE AND BREATHLESSNESS IN COPD

This randomized, controlled study investigated the physiological effec ts of a specially designed 12 week programme of isolated conditioning of peripheral skeletal muscle groups, The programme required minimal i nfrastructure in order to allow continued rehabilitation at home after familiarization within hospital. Forty eight patients, aged 40-72 yrs with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (mean (SD) forced e xpiratory volume in one second FEV1) 61 (27)% of predicted normal) wer e randomly allocated into training (n=32) and control (n=16) groups. P hysiological assessments were performed before and after the 12 week s tudy period, and included peripheral muscle endurance and strength, wh ole body endurance, maximal exercise capacity (maximum oxygen consumpt ion ((VO2)-O-1,max)) and lung function. The training group showed sign ificant improvement in a variety of measures of upper and lower periph eral muscle performance, with no additional breathless ness. Whole bod y endurance measured by free arm treadmill walking increased by 6,372 (3,932-8,812) J (p<0.001), Symptom-limited maximal (VO2)-O-1 was uncha nged, However, the training group showed a reduction in ventilatory eq uivalents for oxygen and carbon dioxide, both at peak exercise and at equivalent work rate (Wmax). In summary, low intensity isolated periph eral muscle conditioning is well-tolerated, simple and easy to perform at home. The various physiological benefits should enable patients ac ross the range of severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to improve daily functioning.