Effects of Different Exercise Training Modalities on Exercise Capacity and Respiratory Muscle Function in Lung Cancer Survivors: a pilot study

<bold>Aim:</bold> Respiratory problems, exercise intolerance, skeletal muscle weakness may occur in patients with lung cancer. Respiratory muscle training and aerobic exercise training can have beneficial effects on respiratory muscle strength, exercise capacity in lung cancer. This study aimed to examine the effect of a 6-week aerobic exercise training and combined exercise training on exercise capacity, respiratory muscle function of patients with lung cancer. <bold>Methods:</bold> Nine lung cancer patients (age=58.22±8.70 years) were included in the study. Patients were randomly allocated to either the combined exercise group (n=5) or aerobic exercise group (n=4). Aerobic exercise training was applied three times per week with the maximal heart rate of 70% in both groups. Also inspiratory muscle training was applied three times per week with the maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) of 50 % in combined exercise group. Exercise capacity was assessed using 6-minute walking test (6 MWT), 1-minute sit-to-stand (STS) test. Respiratory muscle strength and endurance were assessed respectively. <bold>Results:</bold> There was a significant change of 1-min STS test number between two groups (p=0.032). Also inspiratory muscle training (p=0.04), respiratory muscle endurance (p=0.043) and 6 MWT distance (p=0.043) were improved after the training in combined exercise training group. <bold>Conclusions:</bold> Combined exercise training may beneficial to improve exercise capacity and respiratory muscle function. Adding respiratory muscle training to aerobic exercise training programs may increase the effectiveness of treatment. Further results are needed by increasing the number of cases.