Longer versus shorter duration exercise rehabilitation following lung transplantation

The researchers wish to compare the outcomes of a longer duration(14weeks) to a shorter duration (7weeks) exercise rehabilitation following lung transplantation. Those who give informed consent will be randomised to longer or shorter programs and will be over 18years of age. All participants will undergo standard exercise program for 7 weeks, comprising thrice weekly supervised exercise in the physiotherapy department. The longer duration will receive a further 7 weeks of exercise training. Both groups will receive standard post transplant education sessions and maintain an exercise diary. Functional exercise capacity, lower limb strength training and quality of life measures will be obtained at baseline, 7 weeks, 14 weeks and 6 months. At present there is no data describibg the likely magnitude of differences in outcomes between longer and shorter rehabilitation programs.