Original Article

Effects of low-intensity exercise training (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Sitting Calisthenics) in patients with stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Hitomi Takahashi, RPT, Keiyu Sugawara, RPT, MS, Masahiro Satake, RPT, PhD, Takanobu Shioya, MD, PhD, Hitoshi Kagaya, MD, DMSc, Masahito Kawatani, MD, PhD
Jpn J Compr Rehabil Sci 2: 5-12, 2011

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR), consisting of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) sitting calisthenics (CSC), which are performed in a seated position by outpatients with stable COPD.
Methods: Sixty-seven males with stable COPD undergoing outpatient treatment were recruited. They were randomly assigned to either a calisthenics group (n = 35), which underwent PR consisting of CSC performed at home for 3 months and an educational program at the outpatient department, or a control group (n = 32) that underwent only a monthly outpatient educational program.
Results: The peak oxygen uptake (VO2) values for the aerobic CSC performed at target dyspnea ratings of 2 were 39.4-52.1% of the peak VO2 values obtained from the 6-min walking test; these fi ndings indicated that the calisthenics were low-intensity exercises. The actual home implementation rates of CSC were as follows: stretching, 92.0%; arm strength training, 40.4%; leg strength training, 44.2%; and aerobic exercise, 76.2%. A signifi cant improvement was noted in VC, %VC, FVC, FRC, RV, RV/TLC, 6MWD and CRQ after 3 months of PR in the calisthenics group, whereas no signifi cant change was observed in any parameter in the control group.
Conclusion: CSC is an effective treatment strategy in patients with stable COPD. @

Key words: COPD, pulmonary rehabilitation, lowintensity calisthenics

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