Zeitschrift für neuartige Physiotherapien

Abstrakt

A Cohort Study to Evaluate the Feasibility of Low Load/High Repetition Elastic Band Resistance Training for People with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Andre Nyberg, Britta Lindstrom and Karin Wadell

Background: Resistance training is an important component of pulmonary rehabilitation in people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). A vast majority or resistance training studies in COPD have focused on increasing muscular strength with use of weight machines and has been found to be a feasible approach in COPD. However, regarding feasibility of resistance training equipment other than weight machines, such as elastic resistance equipment, information is scarce. In addition, little is known regarding other trainable muscle characteristics, such as peripheral muscular endurance in COPD. We therefore aim to evaluate the feasibility of a low load/high repetition elastic band Resistance Training (RT) regimen in people with moderate to severe COPD. We also aim to evaluate if the RT regimen is feasible for the physiotherapists, conducting the intervention.

Methods: Twenty-two participants with moderate to severe COPD (mean forced expiratory volume in one second, and progression of exercise intensity, adverse events, participant and compliance (participant and physiotherapist) were collected for assessment of feasibility.

Results: The mean (95% confidence interval) attendance rate was 94% (91-97) and mean exercise intensity was 79% (74-83) of the predicted maximum intensity. Furthermore, the median (interquartile range) compliance was 96% (94-96) and 100% (94-100) for the people with COPD and the physiotherapists respectively. Exercise intensity increased on all exercises and any recorded adverse events were considered minor and temporary

Conclusions: Low load/high repetition elastic band resistance training appears to be feasible for both people with COPD and the physiotherapists performing the intervention. These results indicate that elastic bands could be a feasible alternative to weight machines in resistance training for people with COPD