Resistance Training For COPD

Aerobic exercise seems to be helpful for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Does resistance training also help? Here is a study, abstract:

OBJECTIVE: Emerging research suggests that aerobic-based physical activity may help to promote survival among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. However, the extent to which engagement in resistance training on survival among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients is relatively unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the independent associations of muscle strengthening activities on all-cause mortality among a national sample of U.S. adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We hypothesize that muscle strengthening activities will be inversely associated with all-cause mortality.
METHODS: Data from the 2003-2006 NHANES were employed, with follow-up through 2011. Aerobic-based physical activity was objectively measured via accelerometry, muscle strengthening activities engagement was assessed via self-report, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was assessed via physician-diagnosis.
RESULTS: Analysis included 385 adults (20 + yrs) with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, who represent 13.3 million chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients in the USA. The median follow-up period was 78 months (IQR=64-90), with 82 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients dying during this period. For a two muscle strengthening activity sessions/week increase (consistent with national guidelines), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients had a 29% reduced risk of all-cause mortality (HR=0.71; 95% CI: 0.51-0.99; P = 0.04).
CONCLUSION: Participation in muscle strengthening activities, independent of aerobic-based physical activity and other potential confounders, is associated with greater survival among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

So, yes, it seems like resistance training is helpful. COPD patients, when discussing treatment plans with their physicians, should ask about resistance training if the physician does not bring it up themselves. One possibility is that a combination of aerobic and resistance training is best. Generally speaking, over the past few decades, increasing evidence is accumulating that resistance training is helpful for many aspects of health. I can remember “the old days” in which medical authorities recommended aerobic exercise only, and resistance training was viewed as something for “weird bodybuilders,” but today more informed medical professionals and other experts promote the benefits of resistance training.