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 ?
Supervised exercise training improves aerobic capacity and muscle strength in older women with heart failure.
BACKGROUND The effect that supervised or unsupervised exercise training has on aerobic capacity ( peak oxygen consumption [ VO2peak ] ) , muscle strength and quality of life in older women with heart failure remains unknown . OBJECTIVE To examine the effect of six months ( three months supervised followed by three months unsupervised ) of aerobic training ( AT ) or combined aerobic and strength training ( CAST ) on VO2peak , muscle strength and quality of life in older women with heart failure . METHODS Twenty older women ( mean age + /- SD , 72+/-8 years ) with clinical ly stable heart failure were r and omly assigned to AT ( n=10 ) or CAST ( n=10 ) . Supervised AT was performed two days per week at 60 % to 70 % heart rate reserve , whereas unsupervised training was performed two days per week at a rate of perceived exertion of 12 to 14 on the Borg scale . The CAST group also performed one to two sets of low-to-moderate intensity strength training two days per week . RESULTS Supervised AT or CAST result ed in an increase in VO2peak ( 12 % ; P<0.05 ) and leg press strength ( 13 % ; P<0.05 ) that returned to baseline after unsupervised training .  Vertical row strength was greater ( + 23 % ; P<0.05 ) after supervised CAST and remained unchanged after supervised or unsupervised AT . Supervised or unsupervised exercise training was not associated with a significant change in quality of life . CONCLUSIONS Supervised AT or CAST are effective modes of exercise to improve VO2peak and muscle strength in older women with heart failure . However , the improvements in VO2peak and muscle strength are not maintained with unsupervised exercise training
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 ?