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Journal of Clinical and
Translational Research Physical exercise on COPD

In this context, physical exercise has proven to be an the eligibility criteria for this systematic review. The
effective intervention for enhancing functional capacity “population” consisted of patients with COPD, and the
and alleviating dyspnea, offering cardiovascular and “intervention” was physical exercise, with a comparison
respiratory benefits, in addition to promoting functional to patients who did not undergo physical exercise. The
independence and improving the quality of life of COPD “outcomes” were related to functional capacity and
patients. 3 dyspnea. Only randomized controlled trials were included,
The progression of COPD leads to the deterioration of with no restrictions on language or year of publication.
physiological functions across various systems, resulting Due to the nature of the study and in pursuit of a more
in a significant loss of functional capacity. Chronic airway precise response, only randomized clinical trials were
obstruction reduces alveolar ventilation, which impairs gas included based on the PICOS strategy.
exchange and increases the sensation of breathlessness. 2.3. Information sources
4
In addition, muscle dysfunction, particularly in the
respiratory and peripheral muscles, is one of the main A search was conducted in the following databases:
contributors to the functional limitations observed in PubMed, Web of Science, OVID, Cochrane Central
these patients. Studies indicate that sarcopenia, or the Register of Controlled Trials, Latin American and
5
loss of muscle mass, is common among individuals Caribbean Health Sciences Literature, and Scientific
with COPD, contributing to difficulties in performing Electronic Library Online. In addition, the reference lists
physical activities and increasing sensations of fatigue and of previous systematic reviews and eligible clinical trials
dyspnea. The increased respiratory effort associated with were screened. The search for articles was completed in
5,6
chronic inflammation, along with the imbalance between August 2024.
oxygen supply and demand, also exacerbates the condition.
2.4. Search strategy
Physical exercise plays a key role in the management
of COPD, as it can contribute to the partial reversal of The search was based on the previously described PICOS
functional decline. Regular exercise, especially aerobic framework, using the Boolean operators “AND” and “OR.”
and resistance training, has been shown to improve The descriptors used for the population were “COPD,”
aerobic capacity, reduce dyspnea, and strengthen both “chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,” “chronic airway
respiratory and peripheral muscles, particularly those in obstruction,” and “chronic respiratory flow obstruction.”
the lower limbs. Studies demonstrate that pulmonary For the intervention, terms such as “physical exercise,”
7,8
rehabilitation programs, which include physical training, “physical activity,” “aerobic exercise,” “isometric exercise,”
not only improve exercise tolerance but also reduce dyspnea and “physical training” were employed. The outcomes
symptoms and enhance the quality of life for COPD considered were “functional capacity” and “dyspnea.” To
patients. Furthermore, exercise can improve respiratory identify relevant study designs, the descriptors “randomized
efficiency by reducing the workload on the respiratory controlled trials,” “clinical trials,” and “controlled trials”
muscles and enhancing ventilation and oxygenation. 7-10 were used. The complete search strategy is presented in the
Appendix 1.
Given the importance of this topic and its increasing
prevalence over the years, the objective of this study is to 2.5. Study selection
synthesize currently available literature on the effects of Randomized clinical trials involving patients with COPD
physical exercise on the functional capacity and dyspnea of were included in this systematic review. Only clinical trials
patients with COPD.
that assigned patients with COPD to a physical exercise
2. Methods intervention were considered eligible for inclusion. Studies
involving adults aged 18 years and older, regardless of sex,
2.1. Protocol and registration were included. Physical exercise was defined as a planned,
This systematic review was conducted in accordance with structured, and repetitive activity, with a defined rhythm
the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and duration. Studies were excluded if they involved other
and Meta-Analyses guidelines. It is registered in the associated comorbidities or any combined intervention
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International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews with physical exercise.
under the number CRD42025634983.
2.6. Data collection process
2.2. Eligibility criteria In the data extraction process, article titles were screened
The Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes, in the first stage, abstracts in the second stage, and full texts
and Study (PICOS) strategy was used to determine in the third stage. An exploratory reading of the selected
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Volume 11 Issue 4 (2025) 31 doi: 10.36922/jctr.25.00004