Outcome measures
lower limb fatigue, diaphragmatic thickening, dyspnea
Spirometry: The main variables studied and the process of conducting the test are as follows: forced vital capacity (FVC), which is the maximum volume of air exhaled with maximal effort after a maximal inhalation, represented in liters; forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), which is the maximum volume of air exhaled in the first second of the forced vital capacity, represented in liters; the ratio of FEV1 to FVC (FEV1/FVC), represented as a percentage; peak expiratory flow (PEF), which is the maximum instantaneous flow during the forced vital capacity maneuver, represented in liters; forced inspiratory vital capacity (FIVC), which is the maximum volume inspired during a forced inspiration maneuver after a maximal exhalation, represented in liters; and maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), represented in cmH2O, used to assess inspiratory muscle strength (In relation to dyspnea and aerobic endurance, the subjects were assessed using the modified Borg subjective scale, for dyspnea and lower limb fatigue, ranging from grade 0 indicating rest to grade 10 indicating extreme effort and dyspnea (4) and the 6-min walk test (6MWD). The 6MWD is a submaximal exercise test used to evaluate aerobic capacity and endurance (To evaluate diaphragm function, specifically diaphragmatic thickening, diaphragmatic ultrasound measurement was used. The diaphragm thickness was measured with the participants in a supine position, in B-mode using a linear transducer with a frequency of 7–13 Hz. The measurement was taken on the right hemidiaphragm by placing the linear transducer at the intercostal window between the ninth and tenth ribs, approximately 0.5 to 2 cm below the costophrenic angle, at a depth of 1.5 to 3 cm. Measurements were taken at the end momentum of the expiration (DPH