The effects of elastic tubing-based resistance training compared with conventional resistance training in patients with moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of elastic tubing training compared with conventional resistance training on the improvement of functional exercise capacity, muscle strength, fat-free mass, and systemic inflammation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

DESIGN

A prospective, randomized, eight-week clinical trial.

SETTING

The study was conducted in a university-based, outpatient, physical therapy clinic.

SUBJECTS

A total of 49 patients with moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

INTERVENTIONS

Participants were randomly assigned to perform elastic tubing training or conventional resistance training three times per week for eight weeks.

MAIN MEASURES

The primary outcome measure was functional exercise capacity. The secondary outcome measures were peripheral muscle strength, health-related quality of life assessed by the Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire (CRDQ), fat-free mass, and cytokine profile.

RESULTS

After eight weeks, the mean distance covered during six minutes increased by 73 meters (±69) in the elastic tubing group and by 42 meters (±59) in the conventional group (p < 0.05). The muscle strength and quality of life improved in both groups (P < 0.05), with no significant differences between the groups. There was a trend toward an improved fat-free mass in both groups (P = 0.05). After the first and last sessions, there was an increase in interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and interleukin 10 (IL-10) in both groups, while tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) was stimulated only in the conventional training group.

CONCLUSION

Elastic tubing training had a greater effect on functional exercise capacity than conventional resistance training. Both interventions were equally effective in improving muscle strength and quality of life.