Muscle performance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – Effects of a physical training programme

The main aim was to evaluate how thigh muscle performance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is affected after a 3-month training programme. Another aim was to investigate if responders to training could be discriminated from non-responders. Thirty patients participated in high-intensity physical training in water or on land, three times per week, and 13 patients constituted a non-training control group. Maximal dynamic strength and endurance in thigh muscles were tested in an isokinetic dynamometer (KinCom) before and after training. At baseline, physical and pulmonary function were tested and used in the analysis of responders/non-responders. Maximal knee flexion strength improved in both training groups, whereas knee extension was improved in the land and control group. Sixty-four percent of all patients were not able to complete the muscle endurance test at baseline and no change was seen in muscle endurance after training within or between groups. A normal body mass index s...