Association between inspiratory muscle weakness and slowed oxygen uptake kinetics in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may have poor inspiratory muscle function, which reduces minute and alveolar ventilation, leading to increased hypoxemia and slow pulmonary oxygen uptake kinetics. However, little is known about the effect of inspiratory muscle weakness (IMW) on oxygen uptake kinetics in patients with COPD. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that COPD patients with IMW have slowed oxygen uptake kinetics. An observational study was conducted that included COPD patients with moderate to severe airflow limitation and a history of intolerance to exercise. Participants were divided into 2 groups: (IMW+; n = 22) (IMW-; n = 23) of muscle weakness. The maximal inspiratory, expiratory, and sustained inspiratory strength as well as the maximal endurance of the inspiratory muscles were lower in IMW+ patients (36 +/- 9.5 cm H2O; 52 +/- 14 cmH(2)O; 20 +/- 6.5 cm H2O; 94 +/- 84 s, respectively) than in IMW- patients (88 +/- 12 cmH(2)O; 97 +/- 28 cmH(2)O; 82.5 +/- 54 cmH(2)O; 559 +/- 92 s, respectively; p < 0.05). Moreover, the 6-min walk test and peak oxygen uptake were reduced in the IMW+ patients. During the constant work test, oxygen uptake kinetics were slowed in the IMW+ compared with IMW-patients (88 +/- 29 vs 61 +/- 18 s, p < 0.05). Our findings demonstrate that inspiratory muscle weakness in COPD is associated with slowed oxygen uptake kinetics, and thus, reduced functional capacity.