Impact of combined exercise on chronic obstructive pulmonary patients' state of health [Impacto do exercício físico combinado na percepção]

Aim: the aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a 10-week combined training programme (aerobic and strength exercise) compared to an aerobic training programme,and respiratory physiotherapy on copd patients' health. metho ds: fifty subjects with moderate to severe copd were randomly assigned to two groups. combined group (cg,n=25) who underwent combined training,and aerobic group (ag,n=25) who underwent aerobic training. these were compared with fiftycopd subjects who underwent respiratory physiotherapy,breathing control and bronchial clearance techniques (rp group,n = 50). we evaluated health state through two questionnaires,st. george's respiratory questionnaire (sgrq) and sf-36,at the beginning and at the end of the programme. results: the cg group showed differences (p<0.0001) in modification rates in state of health compared to the ag and rp groups in the activity (64 ± 9%,19 ± 7%,1 ± 15%),impact (35 ± 5%,20 ± 18%,1 ± 14%) and total (41 ± 9%,26 ± 17%,1 ± 15%) domains assessed by the sgrq,and the physical function (109 ± 74%,22 ± 12%,0.1 ± 18%),physical role (52 ± 36%,11 ± 15%,1.3 ± 21%) and vitality (83 ± 39%,14 ± 38%) domains assessed by sf-36. conclusion: these results suggest that combined training in subjects with copd appears to be a more effective method,with better clinical changes,and improvements in health state perception.