Effectiveness of Ground Walking Versus Stair Climbing on Exercise Capacity in Subjects with Moderate Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to find the effectiveness between ground walking and stair climbing on improving exercise capacity in subjects with moderate Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Method: 75 subjects who were clinically diagnosed of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease were assessed and only 60 were recruited who are willing to be in the study and they were randomly allocated into two groups. In Group A (n=30) subjects were trained with ground walking along with conventional physiotherapy, with duration five days a week for 4 weeks, where in Group B (n=30) subjects were trained with stair climbing along with conventional physiotherapy. The outcome of this intervention was Six minute walk test (SMWT) this was recorded before and after the session of 4 weeks intervention. Results: Statistical analysis of the data revealed that in within group comparison both group showed significant improvement whereas in between group comparison showed there is no significant improvement in between groups. Conclusion: It was concluded that ground walking and stair climbing are equally effective in improving exercise capacity in subjects with moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.