Concurrent training improves exercise capacity and quality of life in older COPD patients
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Key Takeaway
Consider concurrent training for improving exercise capacity in COPD, but note limited safety data.
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated concurrent training (CT) in 1,037 older adult patients with COPD, focusing on exercise capacity and quality of life. The intervention involved CT, with no specific comparator detailed, and outcomes included 6-min walk distance (6MWD), VO2max, leg press 1RM (LP 1RM), chest press 1RM (CP 1RM), SGRQ score, FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC.
Main results showed significant improvements: 6MWD increased by a mean difference (MD) of 44.08 (95% CrI: 33.35–54.72), VO2max by MD 1.02 (95% CrI: 0.04–2.00), LP 1RM by MD 30.53 (95% CrI: 3.38–57.71), CP 1RM by MD 12.20 (95% CrI: 2.77–21.59), and SGRQ score improved by MD -8.65 (95% CrI: -10.79 to -6.51). However, FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC showed no significant improvement. A nonlinear dose–response relationship identified an optimal CT dose of 1,220 MET-min/week for 6MWD, with MD 24.83 (95% CrI: 14.96–34.70).
Safety and tolerability were not reported, including adverse events, serious adverse events, and discontinuations. Key limitations were not specified in the input, but the absence of safety data and detailed comparator information restricts interpretation. In practice, CT may enhance functional outcomes in COPD, but clinicians should consider the observational nature of this evidence and lack of safety profiles when recommending it.
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View Original Abstract ↓
ObjectiveThis systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the effect of concurrent training (CT) on exercise capacity and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and to identify the optimal CT dose to enhance 6-min walk distance (6MWD).MethodsRelevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the effects of CT on exercise capacity and quality of life in patients with COPD were identified through a comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus. A multilevel Bayesian random-effects model was used to conduct both pairwise and dose–response meta-analyses.ResultsA total of 1,037 COPD patients were included in the 20 studies. Based on pairwise comparisons, CT was found to significantly improve 6MWD (MD: 44.08; 95% CrI: 33.35–54.72; SD: 20.85; 95% CrI: 13.29–32.26), VO2max (MD: 1.02; 95% CrI: 0.04–2.00; SD: 0.91; 95% CrI: 0.23–2.12), LP 1RM (MD: 30.53; 95% CrI: 3.38–57.71; SD: 2.52; 95% CrI: 0.04–15.19), CP 1RM (MD: 12.20; 95% CrI: 2.77–21.59; SD: 2.44; 95% CrI: 0.05–10.71), and SGRQ score (MD: −8.65; 95% CrI: −10.79 to −6.51; SD: 5.04; 95% CrI: 2.52–8.99). However, no significant improvement was observed in FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC. Additionally, a nonlinear dose–response relationship was observed between CT and 6MWD, with the optimal dose identified as 1,220 MET-min/week (MD = 24.83; 95% CrI: 14.96–34.70).ConclusionsCT was found to significantly improve exercise capacity and quality of life in COPD patients, while showing limited effects on pulmonary function indicators. Moreover, a nonlinear dose–response relationship was identified between CT and 6MWD, with the most pronounced effects observed at a weekly dose of 1,220 MET-min.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, CRD42025630487.
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