Arm Elevation and Coordinated Breathing Strategies in Patients With COPD

BACKGROUND: Hyperinflated patients with COPD breathe against an increased elastic load during physical activity. Arm activities are especially demanding. Some pulmonary rehabilitation programs instruct patients to inhale while raising their arms, whereas others recommend the opposite. This study aimed to determine the effect of coordinating breathing with arm movements on the endurance of a lifting task. METHODS: Participants with COPD and …