Role of Exercise in Testing and in Therapy of COPD

Dyspnea is the most frequent complaint limiting physical activities in patients with COPD and decreased exercise capacity is at the center of functional limitation of these patients. This article reviews several modalities of exercise testing, including the 6-minute walk test, stair-climbing test, shuttle walking tests, and cardiopulmonary exercise test. The article also highlights the relevance of the information provided and the impact of the results in a patient's prognosis and suitability for treatment, including medical treatment, pulmonary rehabilitation, and lung volume reduction.