Relationship between body composition, peripheral muscle strength and functional exercise capacity in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The influence of body composition and peripheral muscle strength on 6-minute walk distance was assessed by performing dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scanning, spirometry and dynamometry testing in 13 men and 13 women with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Multivariate modelling showed that 76% of the variance in 6-minute walk distance could be explained by an equation incorporating lung function, quadriceps strength and lean leg mass. These findings indicate an important role for lower limb strength measures in pulmonary rehabilitation training programmes.