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 ?
Resistance training for chronic heart failure patients on beta blocker medications.
BACKGROUND Resistance training increases the skeletal muscle strength and functional ability of chronic heart failure patients . However , there is limited data regarding the effect of resistance training on the hemodynamic responses and peak oxygen consumption ( peak VO(2 ) ) of chronic heart failure patients treated with beta-blocker . This study examined the effect of resistance training on hemodynamics , peak aerobic capacity , muscle strength and quality of life of chronic heart failure patients on beta-blockers medication . METHODS Fifteen men diagnosed with chronic heart failure were matched to either a resistance training program or non-training control group . At baseline and after 8 weeks of resistance training patients performed both Balke incremental and maximal strength tests and completed quality of life question naires . RESULTS The resistance training group demonstrated a significant increase of walking time and peak VO(2 ) by 11.7 % ( p=0.002 ) and approximately 19 % ( p<0.05 ) , respectively . Peak VO(2 ) was significantly correlated with both walking time ( r=0.54 , p=0.038 ) and change in total weight lifted ( r=0.55 , p=0.034 ) . Quality of life significantly increased by 87 % ( p=0.030 ) . The improvement in quality of life was correlated with post training peak VO(2 ) ( r=0.58 , p=0.025 ) and total weight lifted during the post maximal strength test ( r=-0.52 , p=0.047 ) . CONCLUSIONS The benefits from resistance training for chronic heart failure patients on beta-blocker medication included an increased aerobic and exercise capacity , skeletal muscle strength and most importantly , an improvement in the quality of life , which is the main goal of cardiac rehabilitation programs . Furthermore , with appropriate supervision , it is recommended that resistance exercise be added to the exercise rehabilitation program of these patients when possible
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 ?