Selecting the increment size for a maximal incremental cycle test in patients with COPD

Currently, to our knowledge, there are no chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)‐specific formulas to predict the maximum workload of an incremental cycle ergometer test. The aim of the study was to investigate different prediction models including COPD‐specific variables of maximum workload in 113 mild to very severe COPD patients. This study shows that simple measures like forced expiratory volume in 1 s, chair‐stand test and modified Medical Research Council dyspnoea score may improve the accuracy of the predicted maximum workload in COPD patients.