Inclined Versus Standard Exercise for COPD Patients

Summary

This study is designed to provide information regarding how to improve pulmonary rehabilitation for persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Pulmonary rehabilitation is an exercise program for COPD patients that is recommended and benefits some, but not all, patients. The question being studied in this trial is whether during an exercise program, walking on an incline might be better than walking on faster on a flat surface in training muscles so that patients might be less short of breath with exercise.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

* Veterans from all sex/gender, race, and ethnicity will be recruited
* All subjects will undergo post-bronchodilator spirometry and be clinically stable
* All subjects must have documented FEV1/FVC ratio of \<0.7, and between 30% to 80% FEV1% predicted
* If subjects have non-qualifying spirometry, they will not be screened further
* Subjects with qualifying spirometry will be screened further
* Potential subjects must have a BMI of less than 35 kg/m2 and must be free from co-morbidities that may affect walking patterns

  * e.g., peripheral arterial disease, diabetes, low back pain

Exclusion Criteria:

* Confounding effects such as neurological, musculoskeletal, or metabolic disease
* Subjects taking medications that alter mood or metabolic demand will be excluded
* All potential subjects must be cleared for participation by a physician after undergoing a cardiopulmonary exercise test
* Require an O2 mask during rest or activity

Conditions2

Locations1 site

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