Quadriceps bulk and strength and effect of its training in patients with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BackgroundSkeletal muscle dysfunction is one of the important systemic manifestations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is associated with mortality in those patients thus quantifying its bulk and strength is of great clinical interest and of particular value.ObjectiveEvaluation of quadriceps muscle bulk & strength in patients with moderate to severe stable COPD compared with normal healthy subjects and the effect of progressive resistant exercise program for 12 weeks on quadriceps muscle strength and exercise capacity.Subjects and methodsForty patients with moderate to severe stable COPD they were 26 males and 14 females. Ten healthy subjects with the same age and sex were also included as controls. All patients and controls were evaluated at baseline for quadriceps maximal voluntary contraction (QMVC), exercise capacity, the mid – thigh cross sectional area (MTCSA) and spirometric pulmonary functions then patients were classified into 2 groups only group one performed the progressive resistant exercise program for 12 weeks then reassessment of both group were done.ResultsPatients and controls were matched as regard age, weight, height and body mass index. There was significant difference between patients and control in QMVC, MTCSA, and FFM after training for 12 weeks only group one had significant difference in QMVC, MTCSA and FFM/Kg in comparison to the baseline, while there was no significant difference as regard the pulmonary functions. Also there was significant difference between group 1 and 2 after 12 weeks in QQMVC, MTCSA and FFM/kg.ConclusionWe have collected evidence indicating that both bulk and strength of quadriceps muscles in particular were reduced in patients with COPD compared with normal controls and these changes can be improved with progressive training without change in pulmonary functions.