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.

Walking up/downstairs was the most energy-demanding daily activity for patients with COPD. Furthermore, during daily activities, the multisensor showed adequate overall estimation of energy expenditure, as opposed to the pedometer.

No abstract

Objective: To evaluate characteristics of physical activities in daily life in COPD patients in Brazil, correlating those characteristics with physiological variables. Methods: Physical activities in daily life were evaluated in 40 COPD patients (18 males; 66 ± 8 years of age; FEV 1 = 46 ± 16 % of predicted; body mass index = 27 ± 6 kg/m 2 ) and 30 healthy age-and gender-matched subjects, using a multiaxial accelerometer-based sensor for 12 h/day on two consecutive days. We also assessed maximal and functional exercise capacity, using the incremental exercise test and the six-minute walk test (6MWT), respectively; MIP and MEP; peripheral muscle force, using the one-repetition maximum test and the handgrip test; quality of life, using the Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ); functional status, using the London Chest Activity of Daily Living questionnaire; and dyspnea sensation, using the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale. Results: Mean walking time/day was shorter for COPD patients than for the controls (55 ± 33 vs. 80 ± 28 min/day; p = 0.001), as movement intensity was lower (1.9 ± 0.4 vs. 2.3 ± 0.6 m/s 2 ; p = 0.004). The COPD patients also tended to spend more time seated (294 ± 114 vs. 246 ± 122 min/day, p = 0.08).Walking time/day correlated with the 6MWT (r = 0.42; p = 0.007) and maximal workload (r = 0.41; p = 0.009), as well as with age, MRC scale score and SGRQ activity domain score (−0.31 ≤ r ≤ −0.43; p ≤ 0.05 for all). Conclusions: This sample of Brazilian patients with COPD, although more active than those evaluated in studies conducted in Europe, were less active than were the controls. Walking time/day correlated only moderately with maximal and functional exercise capacity.Keywords: Pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive; Motor activity; Exercise tolerance. ResumoObjetivo: Avaliar as características de atividades físicas na vida diária de pacientes portadores de DPOC no Brasil e sua relação com diferentes variáveis fisiológicas. Métodos: Foram avaliados 40 pacientes portadores de DPOC (18 homens; 66 ± 8 anos; VEF 1 = 46 ± 16 % predito; índice de massa corpórea = 27 ± 6 kg/m 2 ) e 30 idosos saudáveis pareados por gênero e idade quanto às atividades físicas na vida diária, utilizando-se um acelerômetro multiaxial por 12 h/dia durante dois dias consecutivos. Foram ainda avaliados as capacidades máxima e funcional de exercício através do teste incremental máximo e do teste de caminhada de seis minutos (TC6), respectivamente; PImáx e PEmáx; força muscular periférica através dos testes de uma repetição máxima e de força de preensão manual; qualidade de vida através de Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ); estado funcional através do questionário London Chest Activity of Daily Living; e sensação de dispneia através da escala do Medical Research Council (MRC). Resultados: Os pacientes portadores de DPOC apresentaram menor tempo de caminhada/ dia quando comparados aos idosos saudáveis (55 ± 33 vs. 80 ± 28 min/dia; p = 0,001) e menor intensidade de movimento (1,9 ± 0,4 vs. 2,...