Impact of peak oxygen uptake and muscular fitness on the performance of activities of daily living in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

PURPOSE: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressively debilitating disease, which, over time, may compromise patient ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL). The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between selected parameters of physical fitness and performance of ADL in COPD patients.

METHODS: A convenience sample of 23 COPD patients (11 men and 12 women, age 6869 years) was studied at the conclusion of an exercise rehabilitation program. Patients were assessed using the Continuous Scale Physical Functional Performance 10 Test (PFP-10) battery, chest press, leg press, and a symptom limited graded exercise test.

RESULTS: The PFP-10 global score was 54 ± 12, and 11 patients fell below a global score of 57, which has been established as the threshold for independence. Peak oxygen uptake (VO(2peak)) was 20 ± 4 mL·kg(-1)·min(-1), the forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced expiratory volume ratio was 0.58 ± 0.12, grip strength was 61 ± 16 kg (both hands), and chest press and leg press were 4 ± 3 and 12 ± 7 kg/kg body weight, respectively. The associations between the PFP-10 VO(2peak) and leg press were modest (r = 0.501, P = .014; and r = 0.547, P = .008) as was grip strength (r = 0.418, P = .047). There was no association between the PFP-10 and forced expiratory volume, forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity, or chest press (r = -20.040, P = .856; r = 20.212, P = .330; and r = 0.120, P = .595), respectively.

CONCLUSION: The results of this investigation suggest that lower body strength is important in optimizing ADL performance in COPD patients.