Maximal exercise in obese patients with COPD: the role of fat free mass

Background: Obese patients (OB) with COPD may better tolerate exercise as compared to normal weight (NW) COPD patients, even if the reason for this is not yet fully understood. We investigated the interactions between obesity, lung hyperinflation, fat-free mass (FFM) and exercise capacity in COPD. Methods: Forty-four patients (16 females; age 65 ± 8 yrs) were assessed by resting lung function and body composition and exercised on a cycle-ergometer to exhaustion. Results: Twenty-two OB and 22 NW patients did not differ in age, gender and airflow obstruction degree, but in FFM (p 
Source: BMC Pulmonary Medicine - Latest articles - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Source Type: research