The effects of treadmill training on inspiratory muscle strength,dyspnea and lower limb fatigue in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the relationship between improved exercise endurance and inspiratory muscle strength,dyspnea and lower limb fatigue in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)patients. Methods Twelve moderate-to-severe COPD patients were given lower limb exercise training for 12 weeks.Routine tests of pulmonary ventilation function,diffusion function,lung volume,maximal inspiratory pressure(MIP),expiratory flow limitation(EFL),cycle ergometer exercise capacity and constant work rate capacity were administered before and after the training program.Borg's scale(BS)was used to assess dyspnea and lower limb fatigue was measured during the exercise tests.Results After training,the average peak work rate(W Rpeak)and average MIP both had increased significantly,but no significant change was observed in routine pulmonary ventilation function,diffusion function or lung volume.The 5-point EFL score showed no significant change.hut Borg's scale dyspnea scores and lower limb fatigue decreased significantly.The changes in W Rpeak were positively correlated with the MIP changes,Borg scale scores and changes in Borg scores.All of these relationships were statistically significant. Conclusion The improved exercise endurance of moderate-to-severe COPD patients after lower limb exercise training is due to increased inspiratory muscle strength and decreases in the sensation of dyspnea and lower limb fatigue.