Continuous Versus Interval Walking Training in Patients With COPD - a Pilot Study

Continuous Versus Interval Walking Training in Patients With Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - a Pilot Study

This study will investigate the effects of interval walking training versus continuous walking training in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Patients will be recruited during a 3-week inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation program and will be randomized to one of the two intervention groups. All walking training sessions will be performed on the same treadmill. Walking intensity in the continuous walking group will be 60 percent of the average speed of the 6-minute walking test. Patients in the interval training group will perform high intensity intervals at 120% of the 6-minute walking test speed for 60 seconds alternating with 60 seconds of rest. The total exercise duration will be progressively increased from 10 to 32 minutes.

Inclusion Criteria:

• COPD stage III or IV according to the Global Initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease [GOLD]
• stationary patient in the Schön Klinik Berchtesgadener Land

Exclusion Criteria:

• acute, severe exacerbation of COPD
• failure to comply with study process