RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 High-intensity knee extensor training restores skeletal muscle function in COPD patients
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 1130
OP 1136
DO 10.1183/09031936.00193411
VO 40
IS 5
A1 Eivind Brønstad
A1 Øivind Rognmo
A1 Arnt Erik Tjonna
A1 Hans Henrich Dedichen
A1 Idar Kirkeby-Garstad
A1 Asta K. Håberg
A1 Charlotte Bjørk Ingul
A1 Ulrik Wisløff
A1 Sigurd Steinshamn
YR 2012
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/5/1130.abstract
AB Improving reduced skeletal muscle function is important for optimising exercise tolerance and quality of life in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. By applying high-intensity training to a small muscle group, we hypothesised a normalisation of muscle function. Seven patients with COPD performed 6 weeks (3 days·week−1) of high-intensity interval aerobic knee extensor exercise training. Five age-matched healthy individuals served as a reference group. Muscle oxygen uptake and mitochondrial respiration of the vastus lateralis muscle were measured before and after the 6-week training programme. Initial peak work and maximal mitochondrial respiration were reduced in COPD patients and improved significantly after the training programme. Peak power and maximal mitochondrial respiration in vastus lateralis muscle increased to the level of the control subjects and were mainly mediated via improved complex I respiration. Furthermore, when normalised to citrate synthase activity, no difference in maximal respiration was found either after the intervention or compared to controls, suggesting normal functioning mitochondrial complexes. The present study shows that high-intensity training of a restricted muscle group is highly effective in restoring skeletal muscle function in COPD patients.