Elastic resistance training in people with COPD: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: Elastic resistance training can be a practical and low-cost alternative to conventional weight resistance training. Although elastic resistance is portable and may be a very promising alternative, a systematic review of the current evidence on the effectiveness of this intervention in people with COPD has not been undertaken. Aim: To investigate the effectiveness of elastic resistance training on improving muscle strength, functional exercise capacity, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and dyspnea in people with stable COPD. Methods: We searched PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Embase, PEDro, SciELO and CINAHL up to November 2019. Randomized clinical trials in which people with COPD were allocated to an experimental group (elastic resistance training) or to a control group that received either (i) no/sham resistance training (i.e. non-exercise control) or (ii) resistance training using weights/weight machines (i.e. conventional resistance training) were included. Two independent authors screened/identified the studies for inclusion. Meta-analyses were performed. Results: Eight studies on 332 participants were included. Compared to the non-exercise control group, knee extensors strength was higher in the elastic resistance training group (standardized mean difference [95% CI] 0.52 [0.09 to 0.95]). No difference in muscle strength, functional exercise capacity, HRQoL and dyspnea was demonstrated between elastic resistance training and conventional resistance training (95% CI transversed the line of no effect for all). Conclusions: The current review suggests elastic resistance as a potential alternative to conventional resistance training in people with COPD.