Publication
Title
Maintaining physical fitness of patients with chronic heart failure : a randomized controlled trial
Author
Abstract
Background We aimed to compare the effects of three different training advices, after 1 year, following a 6 months supervised cardiac rehabilitation period in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Methods Sixty-nine CHF patients were randomized, at the end of their rehabilitation period, either to usual care (UC) or to UC and controlled home training (HT), prolonged supervised training (ST) or preferred training (PT). Treadmill cardiopulmonary exercise testing was performed before rehabilitation, postrehabilitation and thereafter at 3-month intervals during the 1-year follow-up. submaximal exercise capacity [Oxygen consumption and workload at the respiratory compensation point (VO2RCP, WattRCP) and submaximal workload (SMW) efficiency (SMW/HR) at 70% of the initial maximal workload] was chosen as a primary endpoint, because health status in CHF patients depends largely on their ability to perform activities at a submaximal level. Results After 6 months of rehabilitation, the four groups (UC, HT, ST and PT) were comparable with regard to cardiac rehabilitation-derived benefit, both at the submaximal and maximal level. Although exercise capacity during follow-up declined in both UC and HT patients, ST and especially PT patients maintained and even improved VO2peak and VO2RCP. However, only PT patients managed to maintain or even increase submaximal (WattRCP and SMW/HR ratio) workload (P= 0.045 and <0.0001 for interaction, respectively). Ventilatory-derived prognostic markers during treadmill cardio pulmonary exercise testing evolved similarly in the four subgroups. Conclusion This study suggests that engagement in physical training of their own choice (PT), might be the optimal training modality for maintaining physical capacity in CHF patients.
Language
English
Source (journal)
European journal of cardiovascular prevention and rehabilitation. - London
Publication
London : 2010
ISSN
1741-8267
DOI
10.1097/HJR.0B013E328339CCAC
Volume/pages
17 :6 (2010) , p. 660-667
ISI
000285136300008
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 10.03.2011
Last edited 04.03.2024
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