This is a prospective randomized controled trial. A total of fifty two patients were recruited, however, only 32 patients met all inclusion criteria. Patients that were included presented: 1) a diagnosis of COPD according to criteria set forth by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (19), 2) compliance with medical management, 3) no change in medical management and no decompensation episodes for at least one month prior to study initiation, and 4) no participation in a regular physical exercise program for at least six months prior to study initiation. Exclusion criteria consisted of the presence of orthopedic or neurological conditions that would preclude participation in a physical exercise program, a history of cardiac arrhythmias, a past history consistent with heart disease, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension and failure to comply with the research protocol.