The effect of physical training on workload, upper leg muscle function and muscle areas in patients with chronic heart failure

• Published in: International journal of cardiology 2005-04, Vol.100 (2), p.293-300
• Main Authors: Senden, P. Jeff, Sabelis, Louise W., Zonderland, Maria L., Hulzebos, Erik H., Bol, Eduard, Mosterd, Willem L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Cardiology. Vascular system; Chronic heart failure; Exercise - physiology; Exercise Therapy; Female; Hand Strength; Heart; Heart Failure - rehabilitation; Heart failure, cardiogenic pulmonary edema, cardiac enlargement; Humans; Isometric Contraction; Leg; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; Muscle area; Muscle function; Muscle, Skeletal - physiology; Physical Endurance; Physical training; Workload with exercise performance
• ISSN: 0167-5273; 1874-1754
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2004.10.039

To investigate the effect of physical training (PTr) on upper leg muscle area, muscle strength and muscle endurance expressed as upper leg muscle function (ULMF) in relation to exercise performance in CHF. Randomised to a training (TG) or control group (CG). Setting: Outpatient cardiac rehabilitation centre of community hospital. Patients: 77 CHF patients (59 men and 18 women), NYHA class II/III, age 59.8±9.3 years, LVEF 27±8%. Sixteen patients dropped out during the intervention period, 61 patients (M/F:46/15) completed the study. Intervention: PTr (combined strength and endurance exercises) four times per week, twice supervised and twice at home, during 26 weeks. LVEF, body composition, daily physical activity, exercise performance, upper leg muscle area and isokinetic leg muscle variables. Workload and peak oxygen consumption decreased in the CG (−4.1% and −4%) but increased in the TG (+5% and +4%) following PTr ( p