Results: Sixty-four subjects completed 16 wks of training: age 71 ± 8 yr, fat-free mass index 19 ± 3 kg/m2, forced expiratory volume in one second 58 ± 18 percent predicted. The UBR + SE intervention produced a 46% increase in strength compared to a 36% increase in the UBR + HE group (P = 0.054). The combined UBR + SE and UBR + HE
groups produced a 41% increase in strength compared to an 11% increase in the CE+HE (P < 0.001). The combined UBR groups also demonstrated increases in lean arm mass (P = 0.003) and a trend toward decreased dyspnea (P = 0.053). There were no group differences in attrition, attendance and training progression. Fifty subjects completed long-term maintenance and the UBR + SE and UBR + HE groups retained some gains in muscle strength, 24% and 21% respectively, and the CE + HE group lost 3% of muscle strength from baseline.