Peripheral muscle mass and function can be impaired in patients with mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Quadriceps cross-sectional area is reduced in these patients compared to controls [1], particularly in those with dyspnea as compared to non-dyspneic counterparts and smoker controls [2]. Reduced physical activity is closely related to peripheral muscle mass in mild COPD [1], suggesting that early therapeutic interventions are needed in this group of patients. In addition, reduced quadriceps mass is strongly associated to quadriceps weakness [3,4] and a substantial proportion of patients with mild COPD (28%) had quadriceps weakness [5]. Reduced muscle mass and resultant muscle weakness contribute to limiting exercise in COPD [6-8] and to reduce physical activity, particularly in mild disease [1].