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Rib cage distortion and dynamic hyperinflation during two exercise intensities in people with COPD

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resp.2021.103724Get rights and content
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Highlights

  • Rib cage distortion increased during moderate and high exercise intensities.

  • Dynamic hyperinflation was not observed during both exercise intensities.

  • Rib cage distortion seemed not to be a limiting factor of the exercise capacity.

  • Rib cage distortion was observed even in the absence of dynamic hyperinflation.

Abstract

Background

The relationship between rib cage (RC) motion abnormalities, dynamic hyperinflation (DH), and exercise capacity in people with COPD is controversial.

Aim

To investigate RC distortion and operational chest wall volumes during moderate and high constant-rate exercises in people with COPD.

Methods

Seven male participants [median(Q1-Q3) age: 63(60.0–66.0) years; FEV1: 39.0(38.0–63.0)% of predicted] performed a symptom-limited incremental exercise testing on cycle ergometer, followed by constant-rate tests (60 % and 80 % of peak work rate). Optoelectronic plethysmography was used to evaluate RC distortion: phase angle-PhAng, inspiratory phase ratio-PhRIB, expiratory phase ratio-PhREB; and chest wall volumes: end-inspiratory volume-Vei and end-expiratory volume-Vee.

Results

PhRIB and PhREB significantly increased during both constant-rate exercise tests, without difference between them. In general, Vei of the chest wall significantly increased in both exercise intensities while Vee did not change.

Conclusions

The occurrence of RC distortion seemed not to limit the exercise capacity in people with COPD evaluated, and it was present even in the absence of DH.

Keywords

Constant-load exercise test
Optoelectronic plethysmography
Chronic pulmonary obstructive disease

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