Background: The relationship between rib cage (RC) motion abnormalities, dynamic hyperinflation (DH), and exercise capacity in people with COPD is controversial.
Aim: To investigate RC distortion and operational chest wall volumes during moderate and high constant-rate exercises in people with COPD.
Methods: Seven male participants [median(Q1-Q3) age: 63(60.0-66.0) years; FEV1: 39.0(38.0-63.0)% of predicted] performed a symptom-limited incremental exercise testing on cycle ergometer, followed by constant-rate tests (60 % and 80 % of peak work rate). Optoelectronic plethysmography was used to evaluate RC distortion: phase angle-PhAng, inspiratory phase ratio-PhRIB, expiratory phase ratio-PhREB; and chest wall volumes: end-inspiratory volume-Vei and end-expiratory volume-Vee.
Results: PhRIB and PhREB significantly increased during both constant-rate exercise tests, without difference between them. In general, Vei of the chest wall significantly increased in both exercise intensities while Vee did not change.
Conclusions: The occurrence of RC distortion seemed not to limit the exercise capacity in people with COPD evaluated, and it was present even in the absence of DH.
Keywords: Chronic pulmonary obstructive disease; Constant-load exercise test; Optoelectronic plethysmography.
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