Abstract: Objective To explore the effect of rehabilitation exercise prescription based on heart rate reserve(HRR)on the improvement of exercise ability and physical symptoms of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD). 
Methods In total, 106 COPD patients were randomly divided into control group and observation group, with 53 cases in each group .Both groups were given general treatment such as airway expansion and oxygen inhalation, and the observation group was given rehabilitation exercise treatment based on HRR method, twice a week for 12 weeks. Before and after treatment, the patients' static pulmonary function, respiratory function, severity of dyspnea and quality of life were observed, and the quality of life was scored. 
Results After treatment, there were no significant differences in RV, TLC and IC between two groups compared with those before treatment(P＞0.05). FEV1/FVC and MVV in two groups were higher than those before treatment, and higher in the observation group than in the control group(P＜0.05). RFmax was decreased,while VEmax and VTmax were increased, as compared with those before treatment, which were higher in the observation group than in the control group(P＜0.05). △BG/△VO2 and △BG/△W in two groups were lower than those before treatment, and lower in the observation group than in the control group(P＜0.05). The activity limitation, respiratory symptoms, influence on daily life and total score in both groups were lower than those before treatment, and lower in the observation group than in the control group(P＜0.05). 
Conclusion The rehabilitation exercise prescription based on HRR method can obviously improve the respiratory function, reduce the severity of dyspnea, and improve the quality of life of patients. 

Key words: pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive, heart rate reserve, exercise ability