Table 1.

Inclusion and exclusion criteria of the present study.

Inclusion criteria

Age between 18 and 90 years

Diagnosis of definite, probable, or probable laboratory supported ALS

Disease duration from first symptoms between 6 and 24 months

ALSFRS-R ≥ 30

FVC (% predicted) ≥ 70%

Exclusion criteria

Other medical conditions, like cardiac insufficiency and lung disorders or others conditions limiting exercise training

Heavy smoking habits with laboratorial evidence of significant bronchial constriction

Signs of associated dementia or psychiatric disorders

Note. None of the patients were on tube feeding, invasive or noninvasive mechanical ventilation at admission of study protocol (T1).