Resistance exercise training improves mucociliary clearance in subjects with COPD: A randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Elastic tubing was recently investigated as an alternative to the conventional resistance training (RT) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The effects of RT on the mucociliary system have not yet been reported in the literature. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of two RT programs on mucociliary clearance in subjects with COPD. METHODS: Twentyeight subjects with COPD were randomly allocated by strata, according to individual strength of lower limbs, to defined groups: conventional resistance training (GCT) or resistance training using elastic tubing (GET). Nineteen subjects (GET: n=9; GCT: n=10) completed the study and were included in the analysis. The measurement of vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate), lung function (spirometry) and the primary outcome mucociliary clearance analysis (saccharin transit time test (STT)) were performed before and after the 12 weeks of RT. RESULTS: In relation to the mucociliary transportability analysis, no differences were observed between the baseline evaluations of the training groups (p=0.05). There was a significant reduction in the STT values in both training groups, GET (10.64±5.06 to 6.01±4.91) and GCT (12.07±5.10 to 7.36±2.54) with p=0.03. However, no differences between groups were observed on the magnitude of SST changes after interventions (GET: -43.51%; GCT: -38.94%; p=0.97). CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that both RT with elastic tubing and conventional training with weights promoted similar gains in the mucociliary transportability of subjects with COPD.

Influence of the resistance training on heart rate variability, functional capacity and muscle strength in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with the strength and resistance decreasing in addition to the dysfunction on autonomic nervous system (ANS). The aerobic training isolated or in association with the resistance training showed evidence of beneficial effects on an autonomic modulation of COPD; however, there are no studies addressing the effect of isolated resistance training. AIMS: This study aims at investigating the influence of resistance training on an autonomic modulation through heart rate variability (HRV), functional capacity and muscle strength in individuals with COPD. DESIGN: Clinical series study. SETTING: Outpatients. POPULATION: The study involved 13 individuals with COPD. METHODS: The experimental protocol was composed by an initial and final evaluation that consisted in autonomic evaluations (HRV), cardiopulmonary functional capacity evaluation (6-minute walk test) and strength evaluation (dynamometry) in addition by the resistance training performed by 24 sessions lasted 60 minutes each one and on a frequency of three times a week. The intensity was determined initially with 60% of one maximum repetition and was progressively increased in each five sessions until 80%. RESULTS: The HRV temporal and spectral indexes analysis demonstrates improvement of autonomic modulation, with significant statistical increases to sympathetic and parasympathetic components of ANS representing by SDNN, LF and HF. In addition, it was observed significant statistical increases to shoulder abduction and knee flexion strength and functional capacity. CONCLUSION: The exclusive resistance training performed was able to positively influence the autonomic modulation; in addition it promoted benefits on cardiorespiratory functional capacity and strength benefits in individuals with COPD. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: This study could contribute to clinical and professionals researchers that act with COPD, even though the resistance component of pulmonary rehabilitation presents consensual benefits on several healthy indicators parameters. There is no evidence about the effects on HRV before. Moreover, this study showed, on clinical practice, the HRV uses as an ANS activity on sinus node evaluation and highlights further importance on scientific context.