The Effect of Pulmonary Rehability on Critical Walk Speed in Patients with COPD: A Comparison with Self-Paced Walks
Background: Walking is frequently used in the exercise rehabilitation of patients with COPD. Walking ability can be characterized by the two-parameter hyperbolic relationship between endurance and speed. One parameter, critical walk speed (s_critical), represents the maximum speed that can be endure...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Journal Article |
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American College of Chest Physicians
2011
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/33729 |
| _version_ | 1848754027909611520 |
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| author | Dolmage, T. Evans, R. Hill, Kylie Blouin, M. Brooks, D. Goldstein, R. |
| author_facet | Dolmage, T. Evans, R. Hill, Kylie Blouin, M. Brooks, D. Goldstein, R. |
| author_sort | Dolmage, T. |
| building | Curtin Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | Background: Walking is frequently used in the exercise rehabilitation of patients with COPD. Walking ability can be characterized by the two-parameter hyperbolic relationship between endurance and speed. One parameter, critical walk speed (s_critical), represents the maximum speed that can be endured indefinitely. The purpose of this study was to: (1) determine the effect of pulmonary rehabilitation on the critical speed and (2) compare the critical speed with the speed chosen during self-paced walking. Methods: We estimated critical speed in patients with COPD before and after rehabilitation. Patients completed four high-intensity constant-speed walk tests to intolerance on a 30-m course. The parameters of the hyperbolic relationship were determined using nonlinear regression of endurance on speed. Participants also completed self-paced walks: (1) for as long as they could, (2) at their “usual” and “fast” speeds, and (3) as a 6-min walk test. Results: Twelve participants (FEV1 [SD], 41 [16] % predicted; FEV1/FVC, 41 [12]) completed the study. At baseline, the critical speed (65 [12] m/min) was not significantly different from the self-paced, usual, or 6-min walk speeds (65 [12], 67 [14], and 63 [15] m/min, respectively). There was a significant increase in critical speed (6 [1-10] m/min) and 6-min speed (16 [10-21] m/min) after rehabilitation, without changes in the self-paced, usual, or fast speeds. Conclusions: Patients with COPD increase their critical walk speed after pulmonary rehabilitation. The pace chosen during common walk tasks is closely related to critical speed; this relationship is altered after rehabilitation. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T08:33:53Z |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | curtin-20.500.11937-33729 |
| institution | Curtin University Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T08:33:53Z |
| publishDate | 2011 |
| publisher | American College of Chest Physicians |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | curtin-20.500.11937-337292017-09-13T16:08:11Z The Effect of Pulmonary Rehability on Critical Walk Speed in Patients with COPD: A Comparison with Self-Paced Walks Dolmage, T. Evans, R. Hill, Kylie Blouin, M. Brooks, D. Goldstein, R. Background: Walking is frequently used in the exercise rehabilitation of patients with COPD. Walking ability can be characterized by the two-parameter hyperbolic relationship between endurance and speed. One parameter, critical walk speed (s_critical), represents the maximum speed that can be endured indefinitely. The purpose of this study was to: (1) determine the effect of pulmonary rehabilitation on the critical speed and (2) compare the critical speed with the speed chosen during self-paced walking. Methods: We estimated critical speed in patients with COPD before and after rehabilitation. Patients completed four high-intensity constant-speed walk tests to intolerance on a 30-m course. The parameters of the hyperbolic relationship were determined using nonlinear regression of endurance on speed. Participants also completed self-paced walks: (1) for as long as they could, (2) at their “usual” and “fast” speeds, and (3) as a 6-min walk test. Results: Twelve participants (FEV1 [SD], 41 [16] % predicted; FEV1/FVC, 41 [12]) completed the study. At baseline, the critical speed (65 [12] m/min) was not significantly different from the self-paced, usual, or 6-min walk speeds (65 [12], 67 [14], and 63 [15] m/min, respectively). There was a significant increase in critical speed (6 [1-10] m/min) and 6-min speed (16 [10-21] m/min) after rehabilitation, without changes in the self-paced, usual, or fast speeds. Conclusions: Patients with COPD increase their critical walk speed after pulmonary rehabilitation. The pace chosen during common walk tasks is closely related to critical speed; this relationship is altered after rehabilitation. 2011 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/33729 10.1378/chest.11-1059 American College of Chest Physicians restricted |
| spellingShingle | Dolmage, T. Evans, R. Hill, Kylie Blouin, M. Brooks, D. Goldstein, R. The Effect of Pulmonary Rehability on Critical Walk Speed in Patients with COPD: A Comparison with Self-Paced Walks |
| title | The Effect of Pulmonary Rehability on Critical Walk Speed in Patients with COPD: A Comparison with Self-Paced Walks |
| title_full | The Effect of Pulmonary Rehability on Critical Walk Speed in Patients with COPD: A Comparison with Self-Paced Walks |
| title_fullStr | The Effect of Pulmonary Rehability on Critical Walk Speed in Patients with COPD: A Comparison with Self-Paced Walks |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Effect of Pulmonary Rehability on Critical Walk Speed in Patients with COPD: A Comparison with Self-Paced Walks |
| title_short | The Effect of Pulmonary Rehability on Critical Walk Speed in Patients with COPD: A Comparison with Self-Paced Walks |
| title_sort | effect of pulmonary rehability on critical walk speed in patients with copd: a comparison with self-paced walks |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/33729 |