Murillo Frazão and Wanessa Frazão
Background: COPD affects skeletal muscle system. Less efficient muscles generates higher ventilatory demand, which promotes a vicious cycle of dynamic hyperinflation and cardiac constraints, reducing functional capacity.
Aim: To investigate the effects of a pulmonary rehabilitation program, based on physical exercise, on ventilatory and cardiac performances profile. Methods: 5 moderate to severe COPD patients were recruited. All patients were submitted to 8 week (5 times/ week) pulmonary rehabilitation program, composed by aerobic and resistance training. The patients performed a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) before and after the program.
Results: Pulmonary rehabilitation changed ventilatory (10.53 ± 5.32 vs. 28.97 ± 12.07%, p<0.05) and cardiac consumption (10.04 ± 1.80 vs. 22.88 ± 10.36%, p<0.05) at 100% work rate. Pulmonary rehabilitation also increased ventilation (20.6 ± 3.3 vs. 27.1 ± 5.9 L/min, p<0.05) and oxygen pulse (5.4 ± 1.6 vs. 7.5 ± 1.9 ml/beat, p<0.05) at 100% work rate, VO2 (610 ± 110 vs. 880 ± 230 ml/min, p<0.05) and work rate (36.8 ± 9.8 vs. 55.6 ± 14.8 W, p<0.05).
Conclusion: A 8 week pulmonary rehabilitation program improved ventilatory and cardiac performances, probably as a result of dynamic hyperinflation reduction. Peripheral muscle improvement also contributed to ventilatory and cardiac performances profile changes.
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