Effect of lower extremity exercise on muscle strength and physical capacity in COPD patients.
OBJECTIVE
Investigate the effect of lower extremity exercise on maximum lower extremity muscle strength and physical capacity in COPD patients.


METHODS
Twenty moderate to very severe COPD patients were allocated into trained and control groups. The trained group received eight weeks of lower extremity functional exercise including forward step up, lateral step up, heel raise, and lunge at home. Maximum muscle strength and Six Minute Walk Distance (6MWD) assessments were performed at pre-training, week 4, and week 8 in hospital settings.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference between trained and control groups in maximum muscle strength and 6MWD at the beginning of the program. However, there was a significant improvement in 6MWD after eight weeks of training, whereas there were no significant differences in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Functional exercise may improve physical capacity in moderate to very severe COPD patients. It is beneficial and easy to perform at home.
Santiworakul
Anoma
A
School of Allied Health Sciences and Public Health, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand.
Jarungjitaree
Suwannee
S
Jalayondeja
Wattana
W
Chantarothorn
Somchai
S
Supaibulpipat
Supoj
S
D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005080:Exercise Test; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D053581:Muscle Strength Dynamometer; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D012016:Reference Values; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome