title: Maximal strength training of the legs in COPD: a therapy for mechanical inefficiency.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A diminished mechanical efficiency (work/O2 consumed) accompanies chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and increased mechanical efficiency has been attained by maximal strength training (MST) with an emphasis on the maximal rate of force mobilization in the concentric phase in healthy subjects. This study combined these observations and evaluated the impact of short-term MST on patients with COPD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve patients with COPD (FEV1 = 1.1 +/- 0.1) were pretested and then randomly assigned to either an MST group (N = 6) or a normal activity control group (N = 6). Within each MST training session (three times per week for 8 wk), patients performed four sets of seated leg presses with a focus on the rate of force development at an intensity that only allowed the performance of five repetitions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients who performed MST significantly improved their rate of force development (105 +/- 22.8%), mechanical efficiency (32 +/- 7%), and FEV1 (21.5 +/- 6.8%), whereas these variables were unchanged in the controls. Neither group changed either peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) or body mass.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In combination with the observed improvement in FEV1, these data certainly support the therapeutic role for MST in the treatment of COPD.
authors.affiliation: Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hoff
authors.forename: Arnt Erik
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Tjønna
authors.forename: Sigurd
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Steinshamn
authors.forename: Morten
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Høydal
authors.forename: Russell S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Helgerud
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D014797:Vital Capacity