Cycling Exercise in Mechanical Ventilation

Prolonged critical illness renders survivors with increased long-term morbidity associated with high healthcare costs. Muscle weakness and fatigue are reported as the main contributors to long-term poor functional outcomes. Emerging evidence for early mobilisation demonstrates reduction in the number of ventilator days and hospital length of stay. It has been demonstrated that daytime motoring (passive and active) can improve functional capacity in intensive care patients. The aim of the proposed study is to evaluate the effect of cycling exercise in patients on mechanical ventilation appointed to weaning process.