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Examining the Effectiveness of Single-Limb Exercise Training for COPD Patients During Exacerbation Periods
Sponsor: Alper Kemal Gürbüz
Summary
Resistance exercise applications during acute exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are employed to enhance functional capacity and prevent muscle atrophy by increasing muscle strength. Owing to the limited cardiorespiratory reserve of COPD patients, single-limb exercises are better tolerated compared to traditional bilateral exercises. A study conducted by Vogiatzis et al. (2009) indicated that single-leg exercises require lower ventilation and result in more efficient oxygen consumption than bilateral exercises. This physiological advantage may be effective in reducing muscle weakness by increasing exercise endurance in COPD patients with restricted respiratory capacity. The present study aims to demonstrate that single-limb resistance exercise is an effective rehabilitation method for increasing functional exercise capacity in patients during COPD exacerbations compared to a control group. Furthermore, the therapeutic effects of single-limb resistance exercises on dyspnea perception, fatigue, anxiety, and depression will be established. The study will also show that these exercises are both feasible and safe within rehabilitation protocols during the exacerbation period.
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
Any - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
30
Start Date
2026-03-02
Completion Date
2027-09-25
Last Updated
2026-01-16
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
Single Limb Exercise Training
Participants will perform unilateral resistance exercises for six major muscle groups (shoulder flex/abd, elbow flex, hip flex, knee flex/ext) using free weights in a seated position. The intensity is set at 50-70% of 1RM, consisting of 2 sets of 8 repetitions per limb. This 8-week program will be conducted twice weekly as an adjunct to routine hospital physiotherapy and standard inpatient physiotherapy, including breathing retraining (diaphragmatic and pursed-lip breathing) and thoracic expansion exercises.
Routine Exercise
Physiotherapy Intervention: Just standard inpatient physiotherapy, including breathing retraining (diaphragmatic and pursed-lip breathing) and thoracic expansion exercises.
Locations (1)
Alper Kemal Gürbüz
Ankara, Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)