Effects of a pulmonary rehabilitation program on pulmonary functions, cycle ergometry test-parameters, exercise tolerance, and spinal mobility in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

The effects of exercise training on pulmonary functions, exercise tolerance, ergospirometric test parameters, and spinal mobility have not been clarified in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). This study compares the results of pulmonary function tests, cycle ergometry test-parameters, exercise tolerance, and spinal mobility at baseline and at the end of an exercise training program in patients with AS. 12 patients with AS participated in the study. Pulmonary function tests, 6-min walk tests, lower-extremity ergometer tests (LE), clinical, and laboratory measurements were performed at the beginning of the study and at the end of the exercise training program. Peak power, VE max , and anaerobic threshold at the end of the 5th week were higher than at baseline (p 0.05). After the training program, we also observed improved vital capacity (VC) and maximum oxygen consumption VO 2max (p > 0.05). The results of this study show that exercise training improves some of the spinal and respiratory limitations in AS. Yet, these findings on exercise training as part of pulmonary rehabilitation are not sufficient evidence of its effectiveness on pulmonary functions and spinal mobility of AS-patients. Controlled studies are needed in a larger group of patients to assess the effects of the pulmonary rehabilitation program.