Resistance training increased 6-minute walk distance compared to no training , but had no other benefits on cardiac function , exercise capacity , or quality of life if used alone or as an adjunct to aerobic training in people with chronic heart failure .
QUESTION Does resistance training , either alone or as an adjunct to aerobic training , improve cardiac function , exercise capacity and quality of life in people with chronic heart failure ?
Strength/endurance training versus endurance training in congestive heart failure.
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to compare the effects of endurance training alone ( ET ) with combined endurance and strength training ( CT ) on hemodynamic and strength parameters in patients with congestive heart failure ( CHF ) . METHODS Twenty male patients with CHF were r and omized into one of two training regimens consisting of endurance training or a combination of endurance and resistance training . Group ET had 40-min interval cycle ergometer endurance training three times per week . Group CT combined endurance and strength training with the same interval endurance training for 20 min , followed by 20 min of strength training .  Left ventricular function was assessed at baseline and after 40 training sessions by echocardiography and radionuclide ventriculography .  Work capacity was measured with cardiopulmonary exercise test ( CPX ) and lactate determination . Strength was measured with an isokinetic dynamometer . RESULTS After 40 sessions , the ET group improved functional class , work capacity , peak torque , and muscular endurance . However , peak O2 remained unchanged . Left ventricular ejection fraction ( LVEF ) and fractional shortening ( FS ) decreased , whereas left ventricular end-diastolic diameter ( LVED ) increased . The CT group improved NYHA score , working capacity , peak O2 , and peak lactate ; peak torque and muscular endurance , LVEF , and FS increased , whereas LVED decreased . Compared with ET , CT was significantly ( P < 0.05 ) better in improving LV function . CONCLUSION Combined endurance/strength training was superior to endurance training alone concerning improvement of LV function , peak VO2 , and strength parameters . It appears that for stable CHF patients , a greater benefit can be derived from this training modality
Resistance training increased 6-minute walk distance compared to no training , but had no other benefits on cardiac function , exercise capacity , or quality of life if used alone or as an adjunct to aerobic training in people with chronic heart failure .
QUESTION Does resistance training , either alone or as an adjunct to aerobic training , improve cardiac function , exercise capacity and quality of life in people with chronic heart failure ?