The effect of lower limb resistance and endurance training on the clinical picture and quality of life of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A narrative review

Abstract

The aim of the present review is to study the effect of deferent types of training on the clinical picture and quality of life of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. A bibliographic review was performed in international databases (PubMed and PEDro) from 2002 up to date. Eight clinical studies were included in this review. The evaluation of the internal validity of the studies was based on the PEDro scale. Results: The results showed that the application of a combined exercise program in patients with COPD that includes both types of exercise for 12 weeks and frequency 2-3 times per week, can have positive effects on their clinical picture and quality of life. However, few of the included studies performed follow-ups after the end of the intervention, so it is not known whether these benefits persisted for a long time. Conclusions: Both lower limb progressive resistance training as well as aerobic training significantly improve the clinical picture and quality of life of COPD patients, whether applied alone or in combination. However, more studies are needed in the future to study the long-term effects of exercise on patients with COPD.