Breathing Training and Exercise Capacity in Non-CFB

Maximum volume or amount of oxygen consumption during cardiopulmonary exercise test (treadmill or cycle).

Highest work rate achieved during cardiopulmonary exercise test (treadmill or cycle)

Measured by spirometry to determine the maximal amount of air that can be forcibly exhaled from the lungs after a full inhale, reported as liters (L).

Measured by spirometry to determine the volume of air that can be exhaled in 1 second with a forced breath.

Measured by spirometry to determine the largest amount of air inhaled and exhaled during maximal voluntary effort.

Assessed using a calibrated pressure meter to evaluate inspiratory muscle strength. After exhaling slowly and maximally (i.e., to residual volume), the subject will be urged strongly to 'suck-in as maximally as possible' (Mueller maneuver) for approximately 3 to 5 seconds. Measured by 3-5 repetitions and defined as the highest value (in cmH2O) of three measurements that vary by ≤5%.

Assessed using a calibrated pressure meter to evaluate expiratory muscle strength. After inhaling slowly and maximally (i.e., to total lung capacity), the patient will be strongly urged to 'blow-out as maximally as possible' (Valsalva maneuver) for approximately 3 to 5 seconds. Measured by 3-5 repetitions and defined as the highest value (in cmH2O) of three measurements that vary by ≤5%.

Ultrasound-derived diaphragm thickness, reported centimeters (cm)

Ultrasound-derived diaphragm thickening fraction defined as ratio of at total lung capacity thickness at functional residual capacity to thickness at functional residual capacity, reported in millimeters (mm).

Ultrasound-derived diaphragm excursion defined as the amplitude of excursion from baseline to the point of maximum height during the sniff, reported in centimeters (cm).

mMRC scale is a self-rating tool to measure the degree of disability that breathlessness poses on day-to-day activities on a scale from 0 to 4 which 0=no breathlessness except on strenuous exercise; 1=shortness of breath when hurrying on the level or walking up a slight hill; 2=walks slower than people of same age on the level because of breathlessness or has to stop to catch breath when walking at their own pace on the level; 3=stops for breath after walking approximately 100 m or after few minutes on the level; and 4=too breathless to leave the house, or breathless when dressing or undressing.

SGRQ measures impact on overall health, daily life, and perceived well-being in patients with lung disease, specifically obstructive airways disease. The questionnaire consists of two parts with three components; Part 1: symptoms component (frequency \& severity) with a 1, 3 or 12-month recall (best performance with 3- and 12-month recall); Part 2: activities that cause or are limited by breathlessness; Impact components (social functioning, psychological disturbances resulting from airways disease) refer to current state as the recall. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more limitations.

The Dartmouth COOP chart consists of nine questions measuring seven domains of health status: physical fitness, feelings, daily activities, social activities, change in health status, current overall health perceptions, bodily pain, social support, and quality of life. Each question has five response options.