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Home-Based Prescribed Pulmonary Exercise in Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Published on: August 24, 2019
Aerobic exercise training improves right- and left ventricular systolic function in patients with COPD
Eivind Brønstad1, Arnt Erik Tjonna, Øivind Rognmo
1K. G. Jebsen Center of Exercise in Medicine at Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. eivind.bronstad@ntnu.no
COPD
|January 1, 2013
Summary
Both moderate continuous training (MCT) and high-intensity aerobic interval training (AIT) improved cardiac function and aerobic capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Higher exercise intensity did not provide additional benefits for COPD patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often exhibit reduced systolic ventricular function and impaired aerobic capacity.
- Exercise training is a cornerstone of pulmonary rehabilitation for COPD patients, but optimal training modalities remain under investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effects of moderate continuous training (MCT) and high-intensity aerobic interval training (AIT) on systolic ventricular function and aerobic capacity in COPD patients.
- To assess whether higher exercise intensity in AIT confers additional benefits compared to MCT in this population.
Main Methods:
- Seventeen COPD patients underwent 10 weeks of either MCT (70% max HR) or AIT (~90% max HR), three times weekly.
- Left and right ventricular systolic function (echocardiography) and peak oxygen uptake (VO(2-peak)) were measured at baseline and post-intervention.
- Baseline cardiac function was compared to 17 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.
Main Results:
- COPD patients presented with reduced baseline systolic function compared to healthy controls.
- Both MCT and AIT significantly improved VO(2-peak) (8-9%) and work economy (7-10%).
- Significant improvements in left and right ventricular systolic function (stroke volume, tissue Doppler velocity S') were observed with both training types, with no significant differences between MCT and AIT.
Conclusions:
- Both MCT and AIT are effective in improving systolic cardiac function and aerobic capacity in COPD patients.
- Contrary to findings in other patient populations, higher exercise intensity (AIT) did not yield superior improvements in cardiac function or aerobic capacity compared to MCT in COPD.
- These findings suggest that individualized exercise prescription focusing on adherence and tolerance may be more critical than intensity alone for improving outcomes in COPD.
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