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. 2012 Apr 20:Suppl 9:001.
doi: 10.4172/2161-105X.S9-001.

Upper-Body Resistance Training and Self-Efficacy Enhancement in COPD

Margaret K Covey  1 , Edward McAuley  2 , Mary C Kapella  1 , Eileen G Collins  3 , Charles G Alex  4 , Michael L Berbaum  5 , Janet L Larson  6
Affiliations

Upper-Body Resistance Training and Self-Efficacy Enhancement in COPD

Margaret K Covey et al. J Pulm Respir Med. .

Abstract

Purpose: Loss of skeletal muscle strength is commonly seen with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study aim was to determine the effects of comprehensive upper-body resistance training (8 different lifts) and a self-efficacy enhancing intervention in COPD with respect to muscle strength, symptoms, functional status and exercise adherence.

Methods: This randomized trial had 3 groups: upper-body resistance training with an intervention to enhance self-efficacy (UBR + SE), upper-body resistance training and health education (UBR + HE), gentle chair exercises and health education (CE + HE). Subjects performed 16 weeks of supervised training, then 12 months of long-term maintenance at home. Outcomes were: muscle strength, dyspnea, functional status, self-efficacy, and adherence.

Results: Sixty-four subjects completed 16 wks of training: age 71 ± 8 yr, fat-free mass index 19 ± 3 kg/m2, forced expiratory volume in one second 58 ± 18 percent predicted. The UBR + SE intervention produced a 46% increase in strength compared to a 36% increase in the UBR + HE group (P = 0.054). The combined UBR + SE and UBR + HE groups produced a 41% increase in strength compared to an 11% increase in the CE+HE (P < 0.001). The combined UBR groups also demonstrated increases in lean arm mass (P = 0.003) and a trend toward decreased dyspnea (P = 0.053). There were no group differences in attrition, attendance and training progression. Fifty subjects completed long-term maintenance and the UBR + SE and UBR + HE groups retained some gains in muscle strength, 24% and 21% respectively, and the CE + HE group lost 3% of muscle strength from baseline.

Conclusion: The study provides strong evidence that comprehensive resistance training increased strength and lean arm mass and that strength can be partially maintained through a simple home program using hand weights. It provides limited evidence that upper-body resistance training improved dyspnea and that the exercise-specific self-efficacy enhancing intervention was beneficial.

Keywords: Dyspnea; Exercise adherence; Muscle strength; Pulmonary rehabilitation.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow of participants through the study.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Training progression for latissimus dorsi pulldown lift for the UBR+SE and UBR+HE groups. Bars represent the mean values for the change in latissimus dorsi pulldown training loads.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Changes in the 1RM by group. Symbols (○ =UBR+SE group, □ =UBR+HE group, △ =CE+HE group) represent the mean values for the 1RM.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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