PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Glenn Leemans
AU  - Kris M.H. Ides
AU  - Lieve De Backer
AU  - Hilde Vaerenberg
AU  - Kevin De Soomer
AU  - Dirk Vissers
AU  - Wilfried De Backer
TI  - Sensation of leg effort at rest is related to lower peripheral muscle strength in patients with COPD
DP  - 2012 Sep 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - P4156
VI  - 40
IP  - Suppl 56
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P4156.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P4156.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2012 Sep 01; 40
AB  - IntroductionSensation of leg effort (SLE) is known as a limiting factor in exercise capacity during a maximal exercise test in patients with COPD. The Borg scale scores this discomfort of the peripheral muscles before and during an exercise test. A high score in a maximal exercise test is known to correlate with lower skeletal muscle strength. However some patients experiencesome SLE l already at rest before the exercise test and other do not.ObjectiveTo evaluate if SLE at rest before exercise also could be related to peripheral muscle strength.MethodsData of 26 patients in a pulmonary rehabilitation program was analysed. The Borg scale SLE before the maximal incremental exercise test. Isometric quadriceps force was assessed by a computerized dynamometer during a voluntary maximal isometric contraction with the hip at 90° and the knee at 60° flexion. The highest value was taken.ResultsSLEis light to moderate inversely correlated with isometric quadriceps force which is expressed as the percentage of strength compared to that of a healthy individual (Pearson r=0.408; p=0.039).ConclusionsLower quadriceps force seems to relate to higher leg effort compared to those patients who do not experience any leg discomfort at all. However due to the great range in quadriceps force, it is necessary to objectively measure quadriceps force to have a good clinical impression of patient's peripheral muscle strength.