Background: Although pursed lip breathing (PLB) has been advocated to reduce respiratory rate and improve oxygen saturation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at rest, the evidence of its effects on dynamic hyperinflation (DH) and exercise tolerance is scarce.
Aim: To evaluate the effect of PLB on exercise tolerance, breathing pattern, dynamic hyperinflation and arterial oxygenation in COPD patients during high intensity exercise.
Design: Randomized crossover study.
Setting: Laboratory of Respiration Physiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
Population: Forty stable COPD patients aged 40-75 years and with FEV1