Exercise training improves exercise capacity, dyspnea, activities of daily living, quality of life, and reduces hospitalization in COPD patients. Recommended exercises include endurance training 3-5 times per week at moderate intensity for 20-60 minutes, resistance training 2 times per week at light to moderate intensity, and respiratory muscle training 4-6 days per week at 30-35% of maximum pressure for up to 30 minutes. Pulmonary rehabilitation programs should last a minimum of 4-12 weeks to achieve substantial effects.

1. Exercise Prescription in COPD
Dr. Hina Vaish (PT)
BPT, MPT (Cardiopulmonary),
Assistant Professor, MMIPR,
Maharishi Markhandeshwar ( Deemed to be
University), Mullana, Ambala.

2. COPD
• COPD, a common preventable and treatable
disease, is characterized by persistent airflow
limitation that is usually progressive and
associated with an enhanced chronic
inflammatory response in the airways and the
lung to noxious particles or gases.
• COPD includes Chronic Bronchitis and
Emphysema
© Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease
6.

3. Exercise Intolerance in COPD

4. The Vicious Cycle

5. Benefits of Exercise Training
• Improved exercise capacity
• Improved Dyspnoea
• Improved performance of activities of daily
daily living
• Improved health related quality of life
• Reduced hospitalization
Collins EG , Bauldoff G , Carlin B , et al. Clinical competency guidelines for pulmonary rehabilitation professionals. Position
statement of the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation . J Cardiopulm Rehabil Prev . 2014 :
34( 5 ): 291-302 .

6. Exercise Testing
• A cardiopulmonary exercise test including
ventilation and gas exchange assessment and
a standardized ramp protocol
• Modifications including smaller increments
and/or slower progression, depending on
functional limitations etc.
• The 6-minute walk test is often used for
patients with more severe pulmonary disease
Chris Garvey et al. Pulmonary Rehabilitation Exercise Prescription in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Review of
Selected Guidelines An official statement from the American Association Of Cardiovascular And Pulmonary
Rehabilitation.JCRP.2016:75-83

7. Endurance training
Martijn A. Spruit, Sally J. Singh, Chris Garvey, et al. An Official American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society
Statement: Key Concepts and Advances in Pulmonary Rehabilitation.Am J Respir Crit Care Med.2013:188(8):e13–e64.

8. Endurance training
Frequency 3 to 5 times/week
Intensity High intensity (60%-80% peak work rate)
Interval training should be considered for
individuals who cannot sustain extended
continuous periods of high-intensity exercise.
Duration 20 to 60 min per session for 4-12 weeks
Progression Options include titrating to selected RPE level,
dyspnea scale rates, or predetermined MET level
Martijn A. Spruit, Sally J. Singh, Chris Garvey, et al. An Official American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society
Statement: Key Concepts and Advances in Pulmonary Rehabilitation.Am J Respir Crit Care Med.2013:188(8):e13–e64.

9. Resistance Exercises
Frequency
• > 2 times per week
Intensity
• Light intensity: 40%-
50% 1RM for 10 to 15
repetitions per set
• Moderate intensity:
60%-70% 1RM
l
Chris Garvey et al. Pulmonary Rehabilitation Exercise Prescription in Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease: Review of Selected Guidelines An official statement from the American
Association Of Cardiovascular And Pulmonary Rehabilitation.JCRP.2016:75-83
American College of Sports Medicine . ACSM’s Resource Manual for Guidelines for Exercise
Testing and Prescription . 7th ed. Baltimore, MD : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins ; 2013 .

10. Resistance Exercises
Progression Increase weight, number of repetitions per set, number of sets
per session or reduce rests when individuals can perform 1 to 2
repetitions over the desired number on 2 consecutive sessions
Monitor RPE plus muscle/joint fatigue, soreness, and pain
l
Chris Garvey et al. Pulmonary Rehabilitation Exercise Prescription in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Review of Selected Guidelines An official statement from
the American Association Of Cardiovascular And Pulmonary Rehabilitation.JCRP.2016:75-83
American College of Sports Medicine . ACSM’s Resource Manual for Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription . 7th ed. Baltimore, MD : Lippincott Williams &
Wilkins ; 2013 .

11. Cont…
• Resistance exercise will confer greater gains in
muscle mass and muscle force and evoke less
dyspnea.
• For osteoporosis: Caution with spine
flexion/rotation and heavy weight training
• For pulmonary hypertension: Low resistance
training with paced breathing, aerobic training
is acceptable
Collins EG , Bauldoff G , Carlin B , et al. Clinical competency guidelines for pulmonary rehabilitation professionals. Position
statement of the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation . J Cardiopulm Rehabil Prev . 2014 :
34( 5 ): 291-302 .

12. Upper Limb Training
• Task-specific training
of muscles involved in
functional living
Frequency
• 2-3 times per week
Spruit MA , Singh SJ , Garvey C , et al. An official American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society statement:
key concepts and advances in pulmonary rehabilitation . Am J Respir Crit Care Med . 2013 ; 188 ( 8 ): e13-e64
Chris Garvey et al. Pulmonary Rehabilitation Exercise Prescription in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Review
of Selected Guidelines An official statement from the American Association Of Cardiovascular And Pulmonary
Rehabilitation.JCRP.2016:75-83
Flexibility Training

13. Respiratory Muscle Training
• Intensity of 30-35% of PImax,
for a duration up to 30 min
per session or 15 min for two
sessions, 4-6 days/week.
• Progression of intensity
should not exceed 5% per
week.
Martijn A. Spruit, Sally J. Singh, Chris Garvey, etal. An Official American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory
Society Statement: Key Concepts and Advances in Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Am J Respir Crit Care
Med.2013:188(8):e13–e64.
Geddes EL, Reid WD, Crowe J, O’Brien K, Brooks D. Inspiratory muscle training in adults with chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease: A systematic review. Respir Med. 2005; 99: 1440–1458

14. Posture correction

15. Program duration
• A minimum of (4-12) 08 weeks is
recommended to achieve a substantial effect.
Spruit MA , Singh SJ , Garvey C , et al. An official American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society statement: key
concepts and advances in pulmonary rehabilitation . Am J Respir Crit Care Med . 2013 ; 188 ( 8 ): e13-e64

16. Summary
• Exercise training improves exercise capacity
and symptoms
• Endurance, resistance and respiratory muscle
training are recommended for COPD patients
• Longer programs are thought to produce
greater gains and maintenance of benefits

17. Thank You