Table 2 Aerobic fitness measured in an incremental cycle test and a 6-min walk test before and after 12 weeks of training
Before training | After training | P-value** | |
|---|---|---|---|
Mean ± SD | Mean ± SD | ||
Incremental cycle test (N = 22a) | |||
Ventilatory threshold (VT) | |||
• Absolute values (l/min) | 1.25 ± 0.36 | 1.38 ± 0.36 | <0.01 |
• Adjusted for body weight (ml/min/kg) | 16.7 ± 4.3 | 18.5 ± 4.7 | <0.01 |
• VT/VO2 peak (%) | 77.6 ± 12.1 | 78.3 ± 12.3 | 0.742 |
Data at exhaustion | |||
• Maximum workload (Wmax, Watt) | 110 ± 52 | 122 ± 53 | <0.01 |
• Maximum heart rate (bpm) | 156 ± 25 | 161 ± 20 | 0.16 |
• Pulmonary ventilation (l/min) | 59.6 ± 20.2 | 68.2 ± 21.0 | <0.01 |
• Tidal volume (l) | 1.85 ± 0.48 | 1.85 ± 0.44 | 0.91 |
• Gas exchange ratio | 1.15 ± 0.09 | 1.14 ± 0.08 | 0.71 |
Peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak) | |||
• Absolute values(l/min) | 1.67 ± 0.62 | 1.82 ± 0.60 | <0.01 |
• Adjusted for body weight (ml/min/kg) | 22.1 ± 7.0 | 24.1 ± 7.1 | <0.01 |
• As % of normal | 69.4 ± 17.4 | 75.9 ± 18.0 | <0.01 |
6-min walk test (N = 22) | |||
• Maximum walking distance (6MWT, m) | 492 ± 89 | 508 ± 97 | 0.01 |
Pulmonary function test (N = 23) | |||
• Forced vital capacity (FVC, % of normal) | 89.2 ± 12.6 | 90.0 ± 14.0 | 0.51 |