ATS/ERS criteria for oxygen supplementation and progression of work rate during exercise training sessions in patients with COPD

Background: The repercussions of using the ATS/ERS criteria for oxygen supplementation (OS) during an exercise training (ET) program in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were not yet studied in depth. Aim: To compare the work rate (W) progression during a high-intensity ET in patients who need or do not need OS according to the ATS/ERS criteria. Methods: Twenty-five patients with COPD were evaluated pre and post ET (3 times/week, 12 weeks) by spirometry, one repetition maximum test (1RM), incremental shuttle walking test (ISWT) and 6-minute walking test (6MWT). Patients were separated into two groups taking into account the need of OS during the ET (GO 2 ; n=10) or not (GnotO 2 ; n=15). Results: Compared to GnotO 2 , GO 2 presented worse airway obstruction (FEV 1 28[19-54] vs 57[46-71] %pred) and exercise capacity (6MWT 76[70-88] vs 92[86-99] %pred; ISWT 55[42-68] vs 79[56-96] %pred), respectively ( P 2 had a faster increase in the % of maximum W sustained on the cycle ergometer (week 1 vs 6,9,12 and 3 vs 12) compared to GO 2 (week 1 vs 9,12), and speed sustained on the treadmill, as %6MWT (GnotO 2 : week 1 vs 6,9,12 and 3 vs 12; GO 2 : 3 vs 12), as well as %ISWT (GnotO 2 : week 1 vs 6,9,12; GO 2 : 1 vs 9,12). Concerning muscle strength, GnotO 2 had a faster increase in %1RM of quadriceps force (week 1 vs 6,9,12; GO 2 : 1 vs 9,12), ( P P >0.05). Conclusions: Patients who meet the ATS/ERS criteria for OS during ET have a slower progression of training intensity in comparison to those patients who do not need OS.