ABSTRACT
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] is a major health problem because of its high prevalence, morbidity and mortality and its economic impact. The patients experience a progressive deterioration and disability, which lead to a worsening in their health related quality of life. Physical training is an important component of management and can increase exercise capacity and improve health status while reducing breathlessness. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of moderate intensity aerobic exercise on pulmonary functions in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Thirty patients with COPD were included in this study. They were recruited from patients visiting outpatient clinic of Internal Medicine department, Cairo University Hospitals. Their ages ranged 45-65 years old and had moderate COPD [FEV[1] ranged 50-80%] with partially reversible airway obstruction. All were subjected to full clinical history, examination and electrocardiogaphy. Patients were randomly assigned into one of two groups: group I, who received drug therapy and group II who received drug therapy in addition to a supervised moderate intensity aerobic exercise program performed three times weekly for 12 weeks. Pulmonary functions were assessed before start of treatment and at end of the 12 weeks. Measurements included vital capacity [VC], forced vital capacity [FVC], forced expiratory volume in 1st second [FEV[1]] and maximum voluntary ventilation [MVV]. The mean FVC increased significantly in group 11 following treatment [2.32 to 2.53], while it decreased in group I [2.41 to 2.29]. Similarly FEV[1] increased significantly in group 11 [1.55 to 1.73], while it decreased in group I [1.63 to 1.54]. MVV showed a significant increase in group II [51.37 to 57.78], while it decreased in group I [54.86 to 52.46]. All changes were statistically significant. The number needed to treat to achieve benefit in one more patient was 1.9 [95% CI: 1.3 to 3.6]. In conclusion, exercise training program with moderate intensity for three months improved pulmonary functions as measured by spirometry