<b><i>T</i></b><i>horacic and Upper Limb Muscle Strength Enhances 6-Minute Walk Test Performance in COPD Patients</i>

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity, with exercise intolerance limiting activities of daily living (ADLs) due to dyspnea and reduced muscle strength. The role of thoracic and upper limb muscle strength in improving exercise capacity, as measured by the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), remains underexplored. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 30 stable COPD patients (19 male, 11 female; mean age 60.45 ± 7.43 years) were recruited based on Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria. Participants performed the 6MWT and one-repetition maximum (1RM) exercises (bench press, lat pull-down) to assess upper limb and thoracic muscle strength. Maximal inspiratory pressure (PImax) measured respiratory muscle strength. Pearson’s correlation and regression analyses were conducted using SPSS 22, with significance set at p &lt; 0.05. Results: The 6MWT distance (mean 317 ± 61 meters) was significantly correlated with PImax (r = 0.53, p &lt; 0.001), 1RM bench press (r = 0.54, p &lt; 0.021), and lat pull-down (r = 0.54, p &lt; 0.021). Regression analysis confirmed that PImax (β = 0.35, p &lt; 0.001) and lat pull-down strength (β = 0.75, p &lt; 0.033) were significant predictors of 6MWT performance. Dyspnea, assessed via the Baseline Dyspnea Index (BDI), was negatively correlated with 6MWT (r = -0.50, p &lt; 0.021). Conclusions: Thoracic and upper limb muscle strength significantly predicts 6MWT performance in COPD patients, suggesting that targeted strength training could enhance exercise tolerance and improve ADLs. These findings support integrating upper limb and thoracic exercises into pulmonary rehabilitation programs