Baseline characteristics of patients
| Variables | Intervention group (n=110) | Control group (n=109) |
| Age (years) | 66±8 | 65±7 |
| Gender (F/M) | 58/52 | 66/43 |
| BMI (kg/m2) | 25±6 | 24±6 |
| FEV1 (%predicted) | 40±15 | 43±17 |
| FVC (%predicted) | 70±19 | 77±23 |
| FEV1/FVC (%) | 45±14 | 45±13 |
| TLC (%predicted) | 123±25 | 124±24 |
| FRC (%predicted) | 180±47 | 179±44 |
| RV (%predicted) | 213±64 | 206±70 |
| DLCO (%predicted) | 42±19 | 41±21 |
| PImax (cm H2O) | 52±14 | 51±12 |
| PImax (%predicted) | 51±15 | 52±14 |
| Endurance breathing time (s) | 243±109 | 242±93 |
| Inspiratory load (%PImax) | 56±12 | 56±15 |
| Peak VO2 (%predicted) | 66±28 | 63±26 |
| Peak work rate (%predicted) | 45±25 | 45±22 |
| Endurance cycle time (s) | 262±124 | 287±159 |
| 6MWD (m) | 346±118 | 355±104 |
| 6MWD (%predicted) | 56±20 | 57±18 |
| Quadriceps strength (%predicted) | 70±23 | 81±36 |
| Hand grip strength (%predicted) | 87±24 | 88±25 |
| PA (steps/day) | 3679±2234 | 4238±1853 |
| CRQ dyspnoea | 15±6 | 15±5 |
| mMRC | 2.5±1.2 | 2.6±1.0 |
Data are presented as mean ±SD.
6MWD, 6 min walking distance; BMI, body mass index; CRQ, chronic respiratory questionnaire; DLCO, diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide; FRC, functional residual capacity; mMRC, modified Medical Research Council dyspnoea scale; PA, physical activity; peak VO2, peak oxygen uptake; peak work rate, peak power output during a maximal incremental cycle ergometry test; PImax, maximal inspiratory mouth pressure; %predicted, percentage of the predicted normal value; RV, residual volume; TLC, total lung capacity.