Exercise equipment, prescription and progression used for each group
| PR-gym | PR-min | ||
| Aerobic exercise | Exercise equipment | Treadmill or cycle ergometer. | Walking course. |
| Prescription | Treadmill: 60%–80% of peak-predicted oxygen consumption based on baseline ISWT performance, with the aim of achieving 3–4 on Borg CR10-Dyspnoea scale. Cycling: based on achieving 3–4 on Borg CR10-Dyspnoea scale. | Initial target walking distance and time based on 60%–80% of peak-predicted oxygen consumption based on baseline ISWT performance, with the aim of achieving 3–4 on Borg CR10-Dyspnoea scale. | |
| Progression | Increased as tolerated with the aim of performing 30 min of aerobic exercise by the end of the programme. | Increased as tolerated with the aim of walking for 30 min by the end of the programme. | |
| Resistance training | Exercise equipment | Leg press or knee extension. | Elastic resistance bands (TheraBand®), portable steps and free weights. |
| Prescription | Strength: 2–4 sets of 8–12 repetitions at 60% of one-repetition maximum (1RM), with the aim of achieving a rate of perceived exertion (RPE) of 13–15. Endurance: 1–2 sets of 15–20 repetitions at <50% 1RM, with the aim of achieving an RPE of 11–13. | Strength: 2–4 sets of 8–12 repetitions with the aim of achieving an RPE of 13–15. Endurance: 1–2 sets of 15–20 repetitions, with the aim of achieving an RPE of 11–13. | |
| Progression | Both strength and endurance training were progressed by increasing the number of sets and repetitions, as well as increasing the weight or resistance. | Both strength and endurance training were progressed by increasing the number of sets and repetitions, as well as increasing the weight or resistance. | |
ISWT, incremental shuttle walk test; PR-gym, pulmonary rehabilitation using specialist equipment; PR-min, pulmonary rehabilitation using minimal equipment.