title: Associations between isokinetic muscle strength, high-level functional performance, and physiological parameters in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
abstract: High-level activities are typically not performed by patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which results in reduced functional performance; however, the physiological parameters that contribute to this reduced performance are unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the relationships between high-level functional performance, leg muscle strength/power, aerobic power, and anaerobic power. Thirteen patients with COPD underwent an incremental maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test, quadriceps isokinetic dynamometry (isometric peak torque and rate of torque development; concentric isokinetic peak torque at 90°/sec, 180°/sec, and 270°/sec; and eccentric peak torque at 90°/sec), a steep ramp anaerobic test (SRAT) (increments of 25 watts every 10 seconds), and three functional measures (timed up and go [TUG], timed stair climb power [SCPT], and 30-second sit-to-stand test [STS]). TUG time correlated strongly (P < 0.05) with all muscle strength variables and with the SRAT. Isometric peak torque was the strongest determinant of TUG time (r = -0.92). SCPT and STS each correlated with all muscle strength variables except concentric at 270°/sec and with the SRAT. The SRAT was the strongest determinant of SCPT (r = 0.91), and eccentric peak torque at 90°/sec was most significantly associated with STS (r = 0.81). Performance on the SRAT (anaerobic power); slower-velocity concentric, eccentric, and isometric contractions; and rate of torque development are reflected in all functional tests, whereas cardiopulmonary exercise test performance (aerobic power) was not associated with any of the functional or muscle tests. High-level functional performance in patients with COPD is associated with physiological parameters that require high levels of muscle force and anaerobic work rates.
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Therapy, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada. scotty.butcher@usask.ca
authors.forename: Scotty J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Butcher
authors.forename: Brendan J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Pikaluk
authors.forename: Robyn L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Chura
authors.forename: Mark J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Walkner
authors.forename: Jonathan P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Farthing
authors.forename: Darcy D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Marciniuk
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction; D035002:Lower Extremity; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D052097:Quadriceps Muscle / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012525:Saskatchewan; D019415:Torque