title: Thoraco-abdominal motion/displacement does not affect dyspnea following exercise training in COPD patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The interrelations among chest wall kinematics (displacement and configuration), ventilatory profile and dyspnea relief following cycle exercise training (EXT) have not been systematically evaluated in hyperinflated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. We hypothesize that a decrease in ventilation affects dyspnea relief, regardless of the changes in chest wall kinematics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen patients were studied before and after 24-session exercise training program. We evaluated the volumes of chest wall and its compartments (rib cage, and abdomen) using optoelectronic plethysmography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At iso-time EXT (i) reduced ventilation, respiratory frequency and dyspnea (by Borg scale), mildly improved rib cage configuration, but left operational volumes unchanged; (ii) Borg was much smaller for any comparable inspiratory reserve volume (IRVcw), and a decrease in IRVcw was tolerated much better for any given Borg.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Regardless of the changes in chest wall kinematics, a decrease in ventilation attenuates dyspnea following EXT.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Rehabilitation, Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS (IRCCS), Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gagliardi
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Innocenti Bruni
authors.forename: Ilenia
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Presi
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gigliotti
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Scano
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000368:Aged; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D008297:Male; D009038:Motion; D010991:Plethysmography; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012272:Ribs / Q000503:physiopathology; D013147:Spirometry; D035441:Thoracic Wall / Q000503:physiopathology
keywords: Abdominal volumes; Optoelectronic plethysmography; Rib cage distortion