A randomized clinical trial investigating the efficacy of targeted nutrition as adjunct to exercise training in COPD

Coby van de Bool, Erica P. A. Rutten, Ardy van Helvoort, Frits M. E. Franssen, Emiel F. M. Wouters, Annemie M. W. J. Schols*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background Evidence regarding the efficacy of nutritional supplementation to enhance exercise training responses in COPD patients with low muscle mass is limited. The objective was to study if nutritional supplementation targeting muscle derangements enhances outcome of exercise training in COPD patients with low muscle mass.

Methods Eighty-one COPD patients with low muscle mass, admitted to out-patient pulmonary rehabilitation, randomly received oral nutritional supplementation, enriched with leucine, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids (NUTRITION) or PLACEBO as adjunct to 4 months supervised high intensity exercise training.

Results The study population (51% males, aged 43-80) showed moderate airflow limitation, low diffusion capacity, normal protein intake, low plasma vitamin D, and docosahexaenoic acid. Intention-to-treat analysis revealed significant differences after 4months favouring NUTRITION for body mass (mean differenceSEM) (+1.5 +/- 0.6 kg, P = 0.01), plasma vitamin D (+24%, P = 0.004), eicosapentaenoic acid (+91%, P <0.001), docosahexaenoic acid (+31%, P <0.001), and steps/day (+24%, P = 0.048). After 4months, both groups improved skeletal muscle mass (+0.4 +/- 0.1 kg, P <0.001), quadriceps muscle strength (+12.3 +/- 2.3 Nm, P <0.001), and cycle endurance time (+191.4 +/- 34.3s, P <0.001). Inspiratory muscle strength only improved in NUTRITION (+0.5 +/- 0.1 kPa, P = 0.001) and steps/day declined in PLACEBO (-18%, P = 0.005).

Conclusions High intensity exercise training is effective in improving lower limb muscle strength and exercise performance in COPD patients with low muscle mass and moderate airflow obstruction. Specific nutritional supplementation had additional effects on nutritional status, inspiratory muscle strength, and physical activity compared with placebo.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)748-758
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of cachexia, sarcopenia and muscle
Volume8
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2017

Keywords

  • Emphysema
  • Nutrient supplementation
  • Physical activity
  • Pulmonary rehabilitation
  • Muscle function
  • OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY-DISEASE
  • RESPIRATORY SOCIETY STATEMENT
  • SKELETAL-MUSCLE
  • PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY
  • PROTEIN-SYNTHESIS
  • FATTY-ACIDS
  • REHABILITATION
  • METABOLISM
  • BIOMARKERS
  • CAPACITY

Cite this