| Summary: | The purpose of this study was to compare power output and ventilatory measurements between the steep ramp test (SR) and both the 30-second Wingate anaerobic (WAT) and standard cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPET) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 11 patients (7 males and 4 females) underwent spirometry, a CPET, WAT and SR test. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the differences between the peak work rate of the CPET (CPET<sub>peak</sub>), SR (SR<sub>peak</sub>), and the average power of the WAT (W<sub>avg</sub>). The W<sub>avg</sub> was higher than the SR<sub>peak</sub>, which was higher than the CPET (231.2 ± 113.4, 156.8 ± 67.9, 65.9 ± 35.9, p>0.05 respectively). There were no differences found between the tests at end-exercise for inspiratory reserve volume (IRV), ventilation (V<sub>E</sub>), and end-expiratory lung volume (EELV). Tidal volume (V<sub>T</sub>) was also compared between the tests as a percentage of the inspiratory capacity (IC) remaining at end-exercise and no differences were found. The similarity between the ventilatory measures indicates a similar level of constraint, despite the large difference in work rates achieved, in all 3 tests. This shows that a standard CPET underestimates leg power in COPD patients, and the WAT and SR may be better indicators of leg muscle power and anaerobic type exercise.
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