Upper Extremity Exercise Capacity in Lung Transplant Recipients

This study focuses on understanding the difference in upper body strength and endurance between people who have received lung transplants and those who are healthy. Lung transplants help improve lung function for people with serious lung diseases like COPD and cystic fibrosis. However, even after a transplant, these individuals often struggle with physical activities because of muscle weakness and other factors. While much attention is given to strengthening the lower body, the strength and endurance of the upper body are equally important for daily activities and overall quality of life. This study is important because it uses a specific test, the 6-Minute Pegboard and Ring Test (6PBRT), to assess how well the upper body functions in lung transplant recipients compared to healthy individuals. Participants in this study will perform the 6PBRT, where they move rings between pegs using both hands for six minutes to evaluate their arm strength and endurance. The total number of rings moved in this time is recorded to measure upper body functional capacity. The study also examines how this test relates to lung function, the level of tiredness, and quality of life for those with lung transplants. The aim is to identify if there is a noticeable difference in arm strength and endurance between the two groups, and how it connects to the overall health and daily living activities of lung transplant recipients.