At identical isowork rates, ageing influences cardiorespiratory adaptations in COPD out-patients

SummaryPurposeTo determine the extent to which younger COPD patients improve their cardiorespiratory function during exercise in comparison with older COPD patients, as a result of exercise training.MethodsThirty-nine COPD patients underwent an exercise program. They were divided into two groups: a younger group (57.2±1.0 years, n=18 patients) and an older group (68.8±0.6 years, n=21 patients). Forced expiratory volume in 1s was lower than 55% of the predicted value for all patients.ResultsAfter training, V˙O2 symptom-limited significantly improved by 10.3% and 8.4% for the younger and older COPD patients, respectively (P<0.05). Peak power significantly improved by 25.2% and 17.8% in the younger and older groups, respectively (P<0.05) with a greater improvement for the younger group (P<0.05). At submaximal exercise, ventilation and heart rate significantly decreased after training in the younger COPD patients (P