Physical characteristics, pulmonary function and exercise capacities of patients at the outset of the study
| Interval group | Continuous group | |
| males/females n | 14/4 | 16/2 |
| Age yrs | 67±2 | 69±2 |
| Weight kg | 77±3 | 76±3 |
| Height cm | 166±2 | 167±2 |
| FEV1 L | 1.16±0.09 | 1.13±0.09 |
| % pred | 45.4±3.9 | 44.4±3.6 |
| FVC L | 2.24±0.13 | 2.17±0.11 |
| % pred | 64.7±4.8 | 65.6±3.8 |
| DL,CO % pred | 58.3±5.6 | 52.2±5.1 |
| Pa,O2 mmHg | 71±2 | 71±2 |
| Pa,CO2 mmHg | 40±2 | 41 ± 1 |
| Arterial pH | 7.41±0.06 | 7.43±0.02 |
| Peak work-rate W | 57±6 | 57±5 |
| Peak V′O2 L·min−1 | 1.06±0.06 | 1.09±0.06 |
| % pred | 54.8±3.4 | 55.7±3.5 |
| Peak V′E L·min−1 | 35.8±2.5 | 36.4±2.7 |
| LT L·min−1 | 0.81±0.05 | 0.78±0.04 |
| Peak fc, beats·min−1 | 128±4 | 122±4 |
| Peak Sp,O2 % | 94±1 | 92±1 |
Data are presented as mean±sem
FEV1: forced expiratory volume in one second
FVC: forced vital capacity
DL,CO: diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide
Pa,O2: arterial oxygen tension
Pa,CO2: arterial carbon dioxide tension
V′O2: oxygen uptake
V′E: minute ventilation
LT: lactate threshold
fC: Cardiac frequency
Sp,O2: arterial oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry
% pred: percentage of the predicted value. (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa; 1 kPa=7.5 mmHg.).