Chen-style Tai Chi in Pulmonary Rehabilitation for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Change from baseline lung function at week 12 (Spirometry and whole-body plethysmography)

Spirometry and whole-body plethysmography will be used for baseline and post-training (12 weeks) lung function testing.

Time frame: Baseline, 12 weeks

Change from baseline walking distance at 12 weeks (distance walked during the six-minute walk test)

The distance walked during the six-minute walk test will be used to evaluate the functional exercise capacity of all participants at baseline and post-rehabilitation.

Time frame: Baseline, 12 weeks

Change from baseline exercise capacity at 12 weeks(Endurance time during a constant work rate bicycle ergometry exercise test)

Endurance time during a constant work rate bicycle ergometry exercise test will be used to evaluate the exercise capacity of all participants at baseline and post-rehabilitation.

Time frame: Baseline, 12 weeks

Change from baseline isokinetic quadriceps muscle function at 12 weeks

Voluntary isokinetic quadriceps muscle function will be determined by quantification of force, endurance, and fatigability of the dominant quadriceps during a series of 30 repetitions at an angular velocity of 90°/s of a knee extension test.

Time frame: Baseline, 12 weeks

Change from baseline isometric quadriceps muscle strength at 12 weeks (force of the dominant quadriceps will be measured during a single magnetic stimulation of the femoral nerve)

The force of the dominant quadriceps will be measured during a single magnetic stimulation of the femoral nerve (Twitch force of the quadriceps \[Twq\]) and during a maximum voluntary contraction (MVC).