Effect of Supervised Exercise Training on Oxidative Stress Markers and Inflammatory Profile in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Impact of Exercise Training on COPD Biomarkers
Keywords:
COPD, Inflammatory Markers, Pulmonary Function Test, Vital CapacityAbstract
Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory condition characterized by progressive lung dysfunction, chronic oxidative stress and systemic inflammation, which impair exercise capacity and quality of life. This study compared the effect of a 12-week supervised combined aerobic and resistance training program with a 12-week home-based aerobic training on pulmonary function, oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in COPD patients.
Methods: This was a single blind, two arm parallel randomized controlled trial conducted at the Department of Physical Therapy, Dow University of Health Sciences, Ojha Campus, Karachi from February to October 2025. 106 COPD patients who were diagnosed by a pulmonologist were randomly divided into two groups of 53. Group A did supervised combined aerobic and resistance training 5 times a week for 12 weeks, while Group B did aerobic exercises at home, at the same frequency. Pulmonary function tests (VC, TLC, FEV1/VC), oxidative stress indicators (SOD, MDA), and inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α) were used as outcome measures. Paired and independent t-tests were used to analyze data, and p values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
Results: Within-group improvements were significant for both groups for all variables measured (p < 0.05). But Group A showed a significantly better increase in VC, FEV1/VC ratio, SOD, MDA reduction and decrease in IL-6 and TNF-α compared to Group B (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Group A shows greater improvement in pulmonary function, oxidative balance and inflammation than home-based AT, and should be considered as a preferred method for pulmonary rehabilitation in COPD patients.
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