Different Modalities of Exercise Training in COPD With Chronic Respiratory Failure (CRF)

"These patients will perform an aerobic exercise with a moderate intensity cycle ergometer. The exercise session on an exercise bike will last 33 minutes at a constant load, starting from an intensity equal to the load of 60% of the maximum load (max watt) achieved at the incremental test.~Working volume = 60 X 33 = 1980"

"The patients assigned to the Long-HIIT group will perform a 32-minute interval work with 4x4 protocol (active phase x passive phase) performing 4 minutes at an intensity of 80-85% of the Max Watt (active phase) spaced from 4 minutes to 40% of the Max Watt (passive phase). The goal of high intensity work will be to bring the heart rate to a level close to 85-90% of the maximum cardiac frequency achieved in the incremental exercise test. If this target is not reached within the session, the load of the next one will be increased in the following session with 10 watt steps.~Working volume = 16 X 85 + 16 x 40 = 2000"

"The patients assigned to the Short-HIIT group will perform an interval work with initial intensity equal to 100% of the Max Watt highlighted in the incremental exercise stress test in the phase (30 seconds) followed by a passive phase of 30 seconds at 50% of the Max Watt for a period of 26 minutes a day. The intensity will be gradually increased during the sessions with symptom-based progression, according to the protocol of Maltais et al. with steps of 10 watts each increment.~Working volume = 13 X 100 + 13 x 50 = 2050"