Effects of Downhill Walking in Pulmonary Rehabilitation for Patients With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate the effects of downhill walking, a type of eccentric exercise training, on exercise capacity, quality of life, and blood lactate levels in adults with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Participants will be randomly assigned to either a downhill walking pulmonary rehabilitation group or a standard pulmonary rehabilitation group to compare outcomes. The study involves two groups: one will perform downhill walking on a treadmill set at a constant -10% incline, while the other will follow a standard treadmill walking program without incline. Both groups will participate in pulmonary rehabilitation sessions twice a week for eight weeks. Each session includes aerobic treadmill walking for 30 minutes within a target heart rate range of 60-80% intensity, monitored by blood pressure, heart rate, and perceived exertion scores, along with warm-up, stretching, and resistance exercises tailored to individual patient conditions. Participants will be assessed at the start and end of the eight-week program using several measures including the 6-minute walking distance and the Saint George quality of life questionnaire as primary outcomes. Secondary evaluations include lung function tests, muscle strength, dyspnea scores, fatigue severity, anxiety and depression levels, blood lactate levels, and carbon monoxide diffusion capacity. This comprehensive monitoring aims to understand how downhill walking impacts physical function and well-being in people with IPF.

Downhill Walking in IPF