Meta- analysis revealed few clinical ly relevant and statistically significant benefits of " add-on " therapies on exercise performance compared with exercise training .
The aim of this review was to identify the effectiveness of therapies added on to conventional exercise training to maximise exercise capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ) .
Aerobic and strength training in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether strength training is a useful addition to aerobic training in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ) . Forty-five patients with moderate to severe COPD were r and omized to 12 wk of aerobic training alone ( AERO ) or combined with strength training ( AERO + ST ) . The AERO regimen consisted of three weekly 30-min exercise sessions on a calibrated ergocycle , and the ST regimen included three series of eight to 10 repetitions of four weight lifting exercises .  Measurements of peripheral muscle strength , thigh muscle cross-sectional area ( MCSA ) by computed tomographic scanning , maximal exercise capacity , 6-min walking distance ( 6MWD ) , and quality of life with the chronic respiratory question naire were obtained at baseline and after training . Thirty-six patients completed the program and constituted the study group . The strength of the quadriceps femoris increased significantly in both groups ( p < 0.05 ) , but the improvement was greater in the AERO + ST group ( 20 + /- 12 % versus 8 + /- 10 % [ mean + /- SD ] in the AERO group , p < 0.005 ) . The thigh MCSA and strength of the pectoralis major muscle increased in the AERO + ST group by 8 + /- 13 % and 15 + /- 9 % , respectively ( p < 0.001 ) , but not in the AERO group ( 3 + /- 6 % and 2 + /- 10 % , respectively , p > 0.05 ) . These changes were significantly different in the two study groups ( p < 0.01 ) . The increase in strength of the latissimus dorsi muscle after training was modest and of similar magnitude for both groups . The changes in peak exercise work rate , 6MWD , and quality of life were comparable in the two groups . In conclusion , the addition of strength training to aerobic training in patients with COPD is associated with significantly greater increases in muscle strength and mass , but does not provide additional improvement in exercise capacity or quality of life
Meta- analysis revealed few clinical ly relevant and statistically significant benefits of " add-on " therapies on exercise performance compared with exercise training .
The aim of this review was to identify the effectiveness of therapies added on to conventional exercise training to maximise exercise capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ) .