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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Aerobic exercise training improves autonomic nervous control in patients with COPD

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Author(s):
Borghi-Silva, Audrey [1] ; Arena, Ross [2, 3, 4] ; Castello, Viviane [1] ; Simoes, Rodrigo Polaquini [1] ; Barreto Martins, Luis Eduardo [5] ; Cataii, Aparecida Maria [1] ; Costa, Dirceu [6]
Total Authors: 7
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Cardiopulm Physiotherapy Lab, Nucleus Res Phys Exercise, Dept Physiotherapy, UFSCar, BR-13565905 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil
[2] Virginia Commonwealth Univ, Dept Internal Med, Richmond, VA - USA
[3] Virginia Commonwealth Univ, Dept Physiol, Richmond, VA - USA
[4] Virginia Commonwealth Univ, Dept Phys Therapy, Richmond, VA - USA
[5] Univ Estadual Campinas, Fac Phys Educ, Exercise Physiol Lab, Campinas, SP - Brazil
[6] Univ 9 Julho, Phys Therapy Dept, Sao Paulo - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 6
Document type: Journal article
Source: RESPIRATORY MEDICINE; v. 103, n. 10, p. 1503-1510, OCT 2009.
Web of Science Citations: 52
Abstract

Objectives: Autonomic modulation is adversely impacted in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The purpose of the present investigation is to assess the effects of a 6-week aerobic exercise training program on autonomic modulation of heart rate in patients with COPD. Methods: Forty patients of both sexes with moderate-to-severe COPD were randomly allocated to aerobic exercise training (PT, n = 20) or to usual care (Control, n = 20). The training program consisted of tower and upper limb stretching and 30 min of treadmill. exercise, 3 times per week for a 6-week period. Physiological data during symptom-limited exercise testing and the six-minute walk test (6MWT) were assessed. In addition, R-R intervals were obtained at rest and during the 6MWT. Heart rate variability was analyzed by time (rMSSD and SDNN index) and frequency domains (high frequency - HF, low frequency - LF and HF/LF ratio). Results: Peak oxygen consumption significantly improved in the training group only (p < 0.05). Moreover, the training group demonstrated significant improvements (p < 0.05) in blood lactate, minute ventilation, dyspnea at peak exercise, sympathetic activity, and parasympathetic activity at rest and during submaximal exercise. Lastly, a positive and significant correlation was found between change in 6MWT distance and rMSSD index (r = 0.65 and p = 0.001). Conclusions: Neural control of heart rate, in addition to other clinically valuable measures, is positively altered in moderate-severe COPD patients following 6 weeks of aerobic exercise training. The improvement in submaximal performance after exercise training was associated with parasympathetic activity. Published by Elsevier Ltd. (AU)