Endurance training in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a comparison of high versus moderate intensity.

Abstract Gimenez M, Servera E, Vergara P, Bach JR, Polu J-M. Endurance training in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a comparison of high versus moderate intensity. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2000;81:102-9. Purpose: To create a maximum tolerated 45-minute aerobic training program for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to compare its outcomes with those of commonly prescribed moderate exercise. Design: Prospective, randomized trial. Setting: A work physiology laboratory. Patients and Methods: The maximum exercise intensities that 7 COPD patients could sustain for 45 minutes were determined on a bilevel exercise ergometer. The patients then exercised …