Entrenamiento muscular de las extremidades inferiores en el paciente con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica

Abstract

Several studies have shown that poor exercise tolerance in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients is multifactorial in origin. However, a major exercise-limiting factor in COPD is peripheral muscle dysfunction, particularly the muscles of the lower extremities, characterized by atrophic muscles and reduced fatigue resistance due to morphological and metabolic alterations of peripheral muscles. This chapter therefore evaluated the scientific evidence regarding the beneficial effect of lower extremities exercise in the pulmonary rehabilitation in COPD patients. The technical characteristics of this exercise training were also reviewed. Exercise training of lower limbs was recommended in respiratory rehabilitation of COPD patients. The lower extremities muscle exercise training provides significant benefits to patients with COPD in terms of reduction of dyspnea and improvemet in exercise capacity and in quality of life (quality level of evidence = A, strong recommendation). Higher-intensity exercise training and with interval exercise of the lower extrmities produces greater physiological benefits.