The 6-month programme
Following completion of the PR programme, participants were given a personalised exercise programme, starting at the level achieved at the end of PR, and were asked to continue to exercise three times per week as well as do daily walking. The plan was recorded in their personal booklet. The 6-month programme included outdoor walking in HIIT or MICT mode, as well as stretching and strength training exercises. Some participants joined their local gym or organised exercise classes to ensure participation in group exercise at least once per week and followed a home programme the remaining time. Others opted for home-based exercise only. Regardless of the choice, during the 6-month period, participants were self-monitoring and had regular phone calls (once per month) and at least one home visit by the research physiotherapists on the third month. The physiotherapists guided participants on filling-in the exercise diaries and progressing training depending on mode of exercise. The ILD-PR booklet was used as a resource for the home exercises and as a reminder of the educational topics.