Isoinertial Training in Patients With COPD

Overview

Isoinertial training is emerging as a potentially effective strategy to improve strength and functionality in older people diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), due to its influence on muscle mass and neuromuscular efficiency. COPD is characterized by systemic alterations, including peripheral muscle dysfunction; which contributes to patient functional limitation, and reduces patients' quality of life. Isoinertial training may improve the physiological response to effort, and also promote functional performance in this population. Hence, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of an isoinertial training program on muscle strength and functional capacity in patients with COPD during an 8-week intervention.

To assess the effects of an isoinertial training programme on muscle strength and functional capacity in older people diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), in a randomized controlled clinical trial. Thirty participants diagnosed with moderate to severe COPD, over 50 years (50% men, 50% women), will be included to analyze possible differences in the training response compared to the control group. Participants will sign the informed consent and randomly assign to the intervention or control group. The intervention consists in a supervised isoinertial training program, while the control group will continue with the usual pulmonary rehabilitation program. Patients will be subjected to an initial assessment that include the application of tests of functional capacity, muscle strength, as well as clinical parameters and sociodemographic characteristics. The intervention will last 8 weeks, with a frequency of 2 to 3 sessions per week. The training program will include exercises aimed at strengthening the upper and lower limbs, using a isoinertial device with controlled load progression.