To Determine if a Lower Extremity Strengthening Program Improve Quadriceps Muscle Strength
To Determine if a Lower Extremity Strengthening Program Improve Quadriceps Muscle Strength
The purpose of this study is to determine if a lower extremity strengthening program as part
 of pulmonary rehabilitation will improve quadriceps muscle strength, endurance and functional
 status as well as overall quality of life.

 Hypothesis:

 1. Lower extremity resistance training as part of a pulmonary rehabilitation program will
 improve quadriceps strength, endurance and functional capacity.

 2. Lower extremity resistance training as part of a pulmonary rehabilitation program will
 improve quality of life in patients awaiting lung transplant.
Objectives:

 1. To determine if a lower extremity strengthening program as part of pulmonary
 rehabilitation is effective at increasing quadriceps strength when measured with a hand
 held dynamometer.

 2. To determine the effectiveness of a lower extremity strengthening program as part of
 pulmonary rehabilitation for improving endurance and functional capacity as measured by
 the six minute walk test.

 3. To determine if the lower extremity strengthening program as part of pulmonary
 rehabilitation improves overall quality of life as measured by the St. George's
 Respiratory Questionnaire.

 4. To provide a basic framework for a larger randomized control study evaluating if a lower
 extremity strengthening program as part of a pulmonary rehabilitation program is more
 effective than a pulmonary rehabilitation program alone at improving quadriceps
 strength, endurance, and functional level.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Patients preparing for lung transplant

 -  Diagnoses included are: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Idiopathic Pulmonary
 Fibrosis, Sarcoidosis, Cystic Fibrosis, or Bronchiectasis

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Primary Pulmonary Hypertension

 -  Multi-organ transplant patients

 -  Re-transplant patients

 -  Patients requiring intubation greater than or equal to 7 days prior to transplant

 -  Any orthopedic condition which will prevent from participation in a lower extremity
 strengthening program