Move With Air: Exercise Training Study

The purpose of this study is to explore the role of a stream of cool air to the face, through fan-to-face therapy, as a novel adjunct non-pharmacological therapy to enable symptomatic adults with cardiopulmonary disease to exercise at higher intensities for longer durations and maximize the psycho-physiological benefits of a supervised exercise training program. The investigators hypothesize that, compared to no fan, fan-to-face therapy will result in relatively greater improvements in exercise endurance time and intensity ratings of perceived breathlessness during constant-load cardiopulmonary exercise testing on a treadmill at 75% of peak power output.

Inclusion Criteria:have a physician diagnosis of cardiopulmonary disease (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, interstitial lung disease, heart failure)must report breathlessness on exertion, defined as modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale rating ≥2 despite optimal treatment of their underlying cardiopulmonary pathophysiology according to established clinical practice guidelines;have a body mass index of >18.5 kg/m2 and <35 kg/m2be cleared to participate in a supervised exercise training program by their primary care physicianExclusion Criteria:have changed their respiratory or cardiac medication dosage and/or frequency of administration in preceding two weekshave had a disease exacerbation/hospitalization in preceding six weekshave important contraindication(s) to exercise (e.g., significant musculoskeletal or neurological disease) or pulmonary function testing (e.g., eye, chest or stomach surgery, or any history of coughing up significant amounts of blood in the previous 3 months).