Department of Exercise, Sport and Lifestyle Medicine

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Browsing Department of Exercise, Sport and Lifestyle Medicine by Subject "Aerobic exercises -- Therapeutic use"

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    The effect of exercise in pulmonary rehabilitation on the quality of life of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2004-12) Brown, Jennifer Leigh; Barnard, J. G.; Joubert, J. R.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Education. Dept. of Sport Science.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of the study was to measure the responses of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients to an exercise programme in a South Africa setting. Nine subjects were evaluated before and after aerobic and resistance training three times a week for the total of 12 weeks. Each evaluation measured forced expiratory lung function; health-related quality of life; functional capacity; level of dyspnea; body composition; physician global evaluation; and the patient global evaluation. The exercise programme consisted of one-hour exercise sessions, three times a week for 12 weeks. The exercise sessions included elements of aerobic and resistance training of the upper and lower extremities. Functional capacity improved drastically (p < 0.01), as did the physician and the patient global evaluations (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively). Levels of dyspnea also improved (p < 0.01). Health-related quality of life improved marginally (p = 0.03). No significant change was noted in lung function and body composition. The study concluded that an exercise programme consisting of aerobic and resistance training improves chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients' health-related quality of life, functional capacity and levels of dyspnea. Exercise also reduces the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as are perceived by the physician and patient alike. Exercise does not change lung function or body composition of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. Exercise in conjunction with appropriate medical treatment has the potential to benefit all chronic obstructive patients in South Africa. Keywords: COPD, quality oflife, functional capacity, rehabilitation, exercise.