Bronchiectasis is a chronic debilitating respiratory condition
due to inflamed and permanently damaged airways.
Patients suffer daily cough, excess sputum production and
recurrent chest infections. Some patients in addition have
wheeze, dyspnoea and reduced exercise tolerance.1,2 The
cause of dyspnoea and reduced exercise capacity are
multifactorial and may include altered pulmonary
mechanics, inefficient gas exchange, decreased muscle
mass and confounding psychological morbidity.3 This leads
to a cycle of reduced exercise capacity, resulting in
progressive detraining and further reduced exercise tolerance
and health related quality of life (HRQoL).3e6