Quality of aerobic training description and its relation to intervention efficacy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease trials: study protocol for a systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression.

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major global health concern, characterised by ventilatory constraints, decreased cardiovascular fitness and reduced limb muscle function, profoundly affecting patients' quality of life. Aerobic training plays a crucial role in the treatment of COPD, but the variability in methodologies and incomplete reporting of key components in aerobic training trials limits the assessment of their effectiveness. This systematic review aims to critically evaluate the application of training principles and reporting of key components in aerobic training trials in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in the COPD literature.

Relationship between Volitional and Non-Volitional Quadriceps Muscle Endurance in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Volitional assessment of quadriceps muscle endurance is clinically relevant in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, studies that determine the construct validity of volitional tests by comparing them to non-volitional measures are lacking. Therefore, the aim of the current study is to evaluate the correlation between volitional and non-volitional quadriceps muscle endurance in patients with COPD.

Frequency and Functional Consequences of Low Appendicular Lean Mass and Sarcopenic Obesity in Patients with Asthma Referred for Pulmonary Rehabilitation.

Introduction: One of the most prominent extrapulmonary manifestations in patients with chronic respiratory disease is changes in body weight and composition. However, the frequency and functional consequences of low appendicular lean mass (ALM) or sarcopenic obesity (SO) in patients with asthma are largely unknown. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to assess the frequency and functional consequences of low appendicular lean mass index (ALMI) and SO in patients with asthma.

Test-retest reliability, construct validity and determinants of 6-minute walk test performance in adult patients with asthma.

Introduction And Objectives: Current knowledge regarding the measurement properties of the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) in patients with asthma is limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the test-retest reliability, measurement error and construct validity of the 6MWT and identify determinants of 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) in patients with asthma.

Patients And Methods: 201 asthma patients referred for pre-pulmonary rehabilitation assessment, were retrospectively analyzed (age 61±12 years, 42% male, FEV 78±27% predicted).

Isokinetic testing of quadriceps function in COPD: feasibility, responsiveness, and minimal important differences in patients undergoing pulmonary rehabilitation.

Background: Isokinetic testing of peripheral muscle function is valid and reliable in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Objective: To evaluate whether and to what extent isokinetic testing of quadriceps function meets pre-defined test criteria in patients with COPD; to determine the response to pulmonary rehabilitation (PR), and to calculate minimal important differences (MIDs) of isokinetic quadriceps function.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of 2033 patients with COPD (age: 65±9 years, body mass index: 26±6 kg/m, FEV: 49±22% predicted) who followed a comprehensive PR program.