Combined strength and endurance training is more effective as strength or endurance training alone in patients with COPD

Study objectives: Abnormalities in peripheral muscle function are commonly found in patients with COPD and contribute to exercise intolerance. The purpose of the study was to compare the effects of a combined strength and endurance training, with endurance or strength training alone in a randomized trial of patients with COPD. Methods: Twenty-seven patients completed the study: 9 patients in the combined training group (FEV 1 52±18,1%predicted), 10 patients in the endurance training group alone (FEV 1 52±16%predicted), and 8 patients in the strength training group alone (FEV 1 54±9,6%predicted). Lung function tests, exercise performance and muscle strength were measured before and after a training period of three months. Results: Combined training and strength training alone lead to significant improvements in quadriceps (42,7% and 29%), biceps (26,8% and 16%) and triceps (19,3% and 14,1%) muscle strength, compared to the endurance training group (14%, 3,1% and 4,7%). The increase in the combined training group was significantly greater compared to the strength training group alone. Exercise capacity (VO2max) increased in both, combined training group and endurance training group, without improvement in the strength training group after three months. Conclusion: Combined strength and endurance training can improve muscle strength even more than strength training alone, and improve exercise capacity in patients with COPD after a training period of three months.