Aerobic exercise training improves right- and left ventricular systolic function in patients with COPD.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of moderate continuous training (MCT) and high intensity aerobic interval training (AIT) on systolic ventricular function and aerobic capacity in COPD patients.

Methods: Seventeen patients with COPD (64 ± 8 years, 12 men) with FEV1 of 52.8 ± 11% of predicted, were randomly assigned to isocaloric programs of MCT at 70% of max heart rate (HR) for 47 minutes) or AIT (~90% of max HR for 4×4 minutes) three times per week for 10 weeks.