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Peak anaerobic power in patients with COPD: gender related differences

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Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate peak anaerobic power during all-out exercise in patients with COPD. Twenty patients (ten women, ten men) [FEV1 = 50.5 (7.6)% of predicted] and 11 healthy subjects (six women, five men) performed: (1) three maximal sprints on a cycle ergometer to measure peak anaerobic power (P max) and optimal velocity (V opt), (2) assessment of whole-body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and (3) assessment of mean habitual daily energy expenditure (MHDEE). P max was 30% lower in COPD than in healthy subjects [22.9 (7.1) vs. 32.8 (5.6) W kg−1 legs FFM, P < 0.001]. Nevertheless, V opt was similar in both series. In COPD, P max was lower in women than in men [21.4 (7.7) vs. 23.8(6.4) W kg−1 legs FFM, P < 0.05]. V opt was lower in women than in COPD men [72.6 (11.3) vs. 89.3 (13.8) rpm, P < 0.05]. MHDEE was lower in COPD than in healthy subjects [8019 (1254) vs. 9093 (1660) kJ day−1]. In COPD, MHDEE was lower in women than in men (P < 0.001). This study demonstrates that in COPD patients, the decrease in peak anaerobic power could play a role in their specific muscular dysfunction. Considerable differences were observed in peripheral muscle function, body composition and MHDEE between women and men. The skeletal muscle of women and men may therefore adapt to COPD in different ways.

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Abbreviations

BMC:

Bone mineral content

CSA:

Cross-sectional area

DEXA:

Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry

FEV1 :

Forced expiratory volume in 1 s

FFM:

Fat-free mass

MHDEE:

Mean habitual daily energy expenditure

PaCO2 :

Carbon dioxide tension in arterial blood

PaO2 :

Oxygen tension in arterial blood

P max :

Peak anaerobic power

QAPSE:

Questionnaire d’activité physique Saint-Etienne

VC:

Vital capacity

\({\mathop {\text{V}}\limits^{\text{.}} }{\text{O}}_{2} \;\max\) :

Maximal oxygen uptake

V opt :

Optimal velocity

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported in part by CHU de Bordeaux (Contrat Interne de Recherche Clinique).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Physiologie de l’Exercice Musculaire, UFR2 Université Bordeaux 2 Carreire nord, Bât 1A Sous-sol, 146 rue Léo Saignat, 33076, Bordeaux Cedex, France

    R. J. Yquel, F. Tessonneau, M. Poirier, J. Moinard & G. Manier

  2. Service des EFR et de Réanimation Médicale A, Hôpital Pellegrin-Tripode, Bordeaux, France

    O. Pillet

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  1. R. J. Yquel
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  2. F. Tessonneau
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  3. M. Poirier
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  6. G. Manier
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Correspondence to R. J. Yquel.

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Yquel, R.J., Tessonneau, F., Poirier, M. et al. Peak anaerobic power in patients with COPD: gender related differences. Eur J Appl Physiol 97, 307–315 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-006-0181-1

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