Megan Sherman

2008 Research Trainee Award, Junior Graduate Studentship

Muscle metaboreflex during exercise in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a debilitating disease resulting from chronic obstruction of the airways. This obstruction is often progressive and irreversible. The characteristic symptoms of COPD include breathlessness and exercise intolerance. Progression of the disease can lead to breathlessness even during rest.

Recent research suggests impaired skeletal muscle function might be a significant contributor to breathlessness and exercise intolerance in COPD patients. Compared to healthy individuals, COPD patients’ muscles contain more type II muscle fibres, which fatigue more rapidly. They also appear to have higher levels of excess waste products (metabolites) in the muscle. This could trigger premature activation of the “metaboreflex”, a normal response to intense activity that involves increased heart rate, increased blood pressure and the diversion of blood away from non-exercising muscles. The metaboreflex results in the feeling of fatigue and breathlessness and might explain the exercise intolerance among COPD patients.

Megan Sherman is examining the metaboreflex in COPD patients. She seeks to determine whether the metaboreflex is activated earlier and at lower intensities of exercise in COPD patients, compared to healthy individuals of the same age.

Sherman’s research will help to establish a better understanding of the role muscle dysfunction plays in generating exercise intolerance. This could lead to the development of more appropriate rehabilitation programs focused on improving muscle function rather than simply respiratory function.

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