Maximal strength training added to endurance training for people with COPD
Tests strength training plus endurance training against endurance training alone in adults with COPD.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Study on Impact of Maximal Strength Training in Patients With COPD
Key facts
- Where
- Lumezzane, ItalySee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 50 and 80 years old?
Source: NCT03799354, who can take part
Where in Italy
- ICS Maugeri IRCCS, Respiratory Rehabilitation of the Institute of LumezzaneLumezzane, ItalyTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri SpA
- Trial code
- NCT03799354
- Record updated
- 4 November 2026
- Original description
In the context of pulmonary rehabilitation of COPD patients, recent guidelines and metanalysis describe that Resistance Training (RT) can be successfully performed alone or in conjunction with Endurance Training (ET) without evidence of adverse events.Read full original descriptionShow less
Study on Impact of Maximal Strength Training in Patients With COPD: Physiological and Clinical Implications
In the context of pulmonary rehabilitation of COPD patients, recent guidelines and metanalysis describe that Resistance Training (RT) can be successfully performed alone or in conjunction with Endurance Training (ET) without evidence of adverse events.
Maximal Strength Training (MST) is a kind of RT typically performed at ~85-90% of 1RM with maximal velocity to be developed in the concentric phase. Recent literature indicates a significant amelioration on the Rate of Force Development (RFD) after MST in healthy subjects, post-menopausal woman and older populations.
When comparing to the conventional ET, MST generates a little change in muscle mass (no hypertrophy), but a much greater improvement in the RFD. It has been described that neural adjustments play a major role in the MST-induced adaptations. MST is also well documented to improve aerobic endurance by improving walking work efficiency.
Only a small cohort study of COPD patients was conducted, describing that MST can meaningfully improve strength and RFD, with an increase of around 32% for mechanical efficiency and a decrease of the perceived effort during submaximal job. This improvement could determine best performances in daily activities and a best quality of life. The main aims of this physiological pilot randomized controlled trail will be to evaluate feasibility and efficacy of the MST compared to standard ET on strength, effort tolerance, fatigue, economy of walking, dyspnea and risk of falls in a populations of COPD patients, in a short and middle term (6 months).
Inclusion: COPD clinical definition according to GOLD guidelines with forced expiratory volume (FEV1)/ forced vital capacity (FVC) < 70%, and FEV1 < 50% of predicted; stable clinical condition.
Exclusion: long oxygen therapy use; pulmonary diseases other than COPD; type II diabetes or other metabolic diseases; malign disease; a respiratory tract infection within the last 4 wks.