Exercise Training Effects in Patients With Heart Failure

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a common syndrome characterized by several central hemodynamic and peripheral vascular and muscle abnormalities including autonomic imbalance, neuro-hormonal over-activation and decreased oxidative status. In patients suffering from CHF, exercise confers several beneficial effects on the cardiovascular and peripheral systems, mainly by continuous aerobic training. However, interval aerobic training has also been validated as an alternate form of training that increases the exercise capacity of patients who are in CHF. Recent studies have suggested that resistance training alone or as a complementary program besides the traditionally aerobic continuous training might exert favorable effects. However, little it is known about the combined effects of interval and strength training in CHF patients. Aim of this prospective randomized controlled study was to investigate the effects of combined interval and strength training comparing to interval training alone in CHF patients.

Official Title
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Aerobic Interval Training Versus Combined Aerobic Interval Training and Strength Training Effects in Patients With Heart Failure

Conditions
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Chronic Heart Failure

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Exercise training
* Other: Exercise training


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Stable systolic heart failure NYHA functional class ≤ III Optimal medical treatment Exclusion Criteria: Contraindications for a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) according to the American Thoracic Society/American College of Chest Physicians Statement Moderate to severe COPD

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 80 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Combined interval and strength training<br>CHF Pts randomly designed at the combined interval and strength training group | Other: Exercise training<br>* Interval training (30 sec 50% of peak Work Rate achieved at the steep ramp test/60 sec recovery no exercise) for 20 min and Strength training of the quadriceps, hamstrings, muscles of the shoulder and biceps brachialis for 20 min 3 times per week for 36 sessions<br>|
| Active Comparator: Aerobic interval training<br>CHF Patients that randomly designed to participate at the interval training group | Other: Exercise training<br>* Interval training (30 sec 50% of peak Work Rate achieved at the steep ramp test/60 sec recovery no exercise) for 40 min in the interval training group<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Aerobic exercise capacity |  | 3 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Endothelial function, oxygen kinetics, ventilatory drive |  | 3 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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interval training, strength training, exercise capacity, chronic heart failure, Cardiac rehabilitation