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Both programmes lasted 12 weeks, with three sessions per week and a total of 36 sessions, and both were designed to address muscle strength, muscular fatigue and functional capacity. The centre-based protocol was developed from previously published clinical trial protocols with those objectives. It was delivered in a dedicated outpatient clinic by a physiotherapist specialized in the programme, in groups of up to three participants, always in the morning. Each session lasted approximately 80 to 90 minutes and comprised: warm-up on a treadmill or cycle ergometer (5 min); aerobic training on a treadmill or cycle ergometer (30 to 45 min); loaded strength and muscular-endurance training of the upper and lower limbs (30 min), addressing the muscle groups used in daily activities through frontal and lateral raises, flexion and extension, functional diagonal movements, squats, and dorsiflexion and plantar flexion, performed as three sets of each exercise with a 1-minute interval between sets:

The home-based protocol comprised breathing exercises, stretching, muscle strengthening, balance and aerobic training, illustrated in a booklet. The booklet was delivered after the baseline evaluation and its execution was explained by a physiotherapist specialized in rehabilitation sciences in a face-to-face session. Every week the same professional made telephone contact to answer questions about the training, verify the regularity of the exercises and, where necessary, give advice. The intervention evaluated is therefore this combined package of booklet, initial instruction and weekly telephone monitoring. All exercises were designed to be simple and of low risk, at no cost to participants, and no equipment was provided; participants were advised to exercise preferably in the morning and in comfortable clothing. Each session lasted approximately 80 to 90 minutes and comprised: pursed-lip breathing, consisting of nasal inspiration with the mouth closed followed by expiration through