At rest PLB increased TV, Ti, Te, Ttot and TV/Ti and reduced RR and Ti/Ttot. These
changes were observed in the whole group and in the IMPROVER and NONIMPROVER
subgroups as well (Table 2). During the isotime evaluation in the endurance test (the variables were
collected at the end of the shorter endurance test and compared to this same time during the longer
test), IMPROVER maintained the reduction in RR and the increases in Te and Ttot while performing
PLB, whereas NONIMPROVER patients did not present a statistically significant change in their
breathing pattern and exhibited an increase in , indicating a greater degree of respiratory
asynchronism during PLB. At the peak exercise, there were no changes in the breathing pattern in
the analysed subgroups (Table 2). AB increased at exercise peak in the overall group and in NONIMPROVER. Therefore,
there was no difference in AB between PLB and CB at rest and during exercise (Table 2).