[Effects of a high intensity training program on patients with chronic obstructive airways disease (COAD)]

In a controlled/prospective clinical trial we examined 125 patients with moderate COAD, 84 of which performed a high-intensity training program on cycle ergometers.

All participants (controls n = 39, training-group n = 84, age 48.7 versus 48.1 years, FEV1 62.3 % vs. 63.1 % of predicted) were examined spiroergometrically (ramp protocol, increment 10 W/min), the anaerobic threshold (AT) determined and a training intensity calculated (AT + 40 % of the difference to peak exercise). Training was carried out on cycle ergometers with 5 training units weekly at 40 minutes each. We aimed at a minimum of 22 training units during 4 weeks.

Both groups improved in the lung function at rest (FEV1 + 11 % versus + 12 % in the controls). Only for the training group we found a statistically significant improvement in maximum exercise capacity (O2 uptake + 286.4 ml vs. + 72.4 ml, maximum workrate + 20.0 watts vs. + 5.7 W), of the anaerobic threshold (AT improved by 8.4 watts vs. 5.1 W) as well as in the metabolic load (lactate decreased by 1.3 mmol vs. 0.2 mmol, ventilation decreased by 3.8 l/min vs. 2.3 l/min). In most subscales of the SF-36 questionnaire quality of living improved more clearly in the training group, whereas the LAQ questionnaire showed no group-specific differences and no improvement after training.

We conclude from the result that a high intensity training program can be recommended as a useful and low-risk component in pulmonary rehabilitation programs.