Muscular Training-induced Changes in COPD

All subjects performed a supervised 8-week, 5 days-week of endurance exercise training program in cycle-ergometer Each session included 5 minutes of warm-up and cool-down pedalling at 30% of peak work-rate (WR) and 50 minutes of interval training. The interval training combined 2 minutes of high-intensity pedalling and 3 minutes of active rest. Work-rate progress during the 8-week period was tailored on individual basis, according to subjects' symptoms, to maximize the training effect. During the first 2 weeks, high intensity pedalling interval was at least 70% of peak WR and active rest interval was at least 40% of peak WR. Thereafter, work-rate was increased by approximately 5% every week up to a maximum of 100% of peak WR during the last 2 weeks for the high intensity period and 50% of peak WR for the active rest. The cycling rate during the sessions was maintained at 60-70 rpm.