AN OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE VALUE OF EXERCISE TRAINING TO PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE AIRWAYS DISEASE

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 49  (193) , 77-85
Abstract
Value of a program of graded exercise training was assessed in 10 subjects with chronic obstructive airways disease. Assessments were made at 2 wk intervals during three 12 wk periods: before, during and after a training period. During the training subjects were able to walk significantly further in a 12 min walking test. There was a small but significant increase in the forced expiratory volume in 1 s and the difference between the values of total lung capacity estimated by body plethysmography and those estimated by He dilution was significantly smaller. CO transfer factor increased and was significantly greater in the period after stopping training. Difference between alveolar and arterial O2 tensions at rest was smaller during the training period. Changes in the results of the 12 min walking test, transfer factor and O2 tension difference were maintained in the period after stopping training. Despite the improvements in some of the indices of respiratory function, there were no improvements in any of the indices of cardiorespiratory fitness which may be because the subjects were incapable of undertaking sufficiently intense training. Training is of some benefit to patients with chronic obstructive airways disease. The benefit may be greater in patients who are less incapacitated and who are able to undertake a more strenuous training program.