Study on Impact of Maximal Strength Training in Patients With COPD

"Patients will perform an addictive out-patients rehabilitative treatment of 8 weeks (3 times/week, ≥20 training sessions) consisting of:~1. MST- It will consist of four sets of five repetitions on a leg-press with a focus on the rate of force development during the concentric contraction of the quadriceps from a 90° to legs complete extension. The load will be 85-90% of 1RM. When a patient will be able to perform more than five repetitions in a set, the load will be increased. All strength training will be performed on a seated horizontal leg press.~2. ET - A cycling session will follow the MST and last 40 minutes at constant-load, starting from a load intensity corresponding to patient specific AT. The intensity will be gradually increased with a symptom-based progression."

"Patients will perform a usual out-patients rehabilitative treatment of 8 weeks (3 times/week, ≥20 training sessions). They will perform ET by cycling sessions that will last 40 minutes/each at constant-load, starting from a load intensity corresponding to patient specific AT, assessed during the baseline incremental test. The intensity will be gradually increased during the sessions with a symptom-based progression, according to the protocol by Maltais and coworkers. A 3-min warm-up and cool-down will be provided. Heart rate (HR), blood pressure, oxygen pulsoxymetry, and symptoms by Borg CR10 scale will be monitored at the beginning and end of each session.~Out of the training-days, both groups will continue their normal daily living with modest regular activity, as recommended by their physician."