Isoinertial Training in Patients With COPD

Effect of Isoinertial Training on Muscle Strength and Functional Capacity in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Isoinertial training is emerging as a potentially effective strategy to improve strength and functionality in older people diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), due to its influence on muscle mass and neuromuscular efficiency. COPD is characterized by systemic alterations, including peripheral muscle dysfunction; which contributes to patient functional limitation, and reduces patients' quality of life. Isoinertial training may improve the physiological response to effort, and also promote functional performance in this population. Hence, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of an isoinertial training program on muscle strength and functional capacity in patients with COPD during an 8-week intervention.

To assess the effects of an isoinertial training programme on muscle strength and functional capacity in older people diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), in a randomized controlled clinical trial. Thirty participants diagnosed with moderate to severe COPD, over 50 years (50% men, 50% women), will be included to analyze possible differences in the training response compared to the control group. Participants will sign the informed consent and randomly assign to the intervention or control group. The intervention consists in a supervised isoinertial training program, while the control group will continue with the usual pulmonary rehabilitation program. Patients will be subjected to an initial assessment that include the application of tests of functional capacity, muscle strength, as well as clinical parameters and sociodemographic characteristics. The intervention will last 8 weeks, with a frequency of 2 to 3 sessions per week. The training program will include exercises aimed at strengthening the upper and lower limbs, using a isoinertial device with controlled load progression.

Inclusion Criteria:

• People between 50 - 80 years of age diagnosed with moderate or severe COPD
• No acute exacerbations in the last 4 weeks
• Sufficient functional capacity to exercise
• Signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of neurological, musculoskeletal, or cardiovascular diseases that significantly limit exercise performance or compromise participant safety; including uncontrolled hypertension, recent myocardial infarction, unstable angina, severe osteoarthritis, stroke sequelae, or Parkinson's disease.
• Contraindications to exercise participation according to medical evaluation.
• Recent surgeries in the past 3 months
• Simultaneous participation in other exercise programs
• Cognitive disorders