Resistance training increases 6-minute walk distance in people with chronic heart failure: a systematic review.
OBJECTIVE
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?


METHODS
Systematic review with meta-analysis of randomised trials.


METHODS
Adults with stable chronic heart failure.


METHODS
Progressive resistance exercise training, alone or as an adjunct to aerobic training.


METHODS
Cardiac function, exercise capacity and quality of life.


RESULTS
241 participants from eight trials performed 2 to 6 months of moderate-intensity resistance training (50-75% of 1RM). Most programs consisted of 5 to 6 exercises for large limb and trunk muscles with two sets of 8 to 12 repetitions, three times a week. Resistance training significantly increased 6-minute walk distance (WMD 52 m, 95% CI 19 to 85) but not peak oxygen consumption (WMD 1.4 ml/kg/min, 95% CI -0.3 to 3.1). When used as an adjunct to aerobic training, resistance training did not significantly alter left ventricular ejection fraction (WMD -0.5%, 95% CI -4.3 to 3.3), peak oxygen consumption (WMD -0.7 ml/kg/min, 95% CI -2.3 to 1.0), or Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire scores (WMD -0.9, 95% CI -5.4 to 3.7), compared with aerobic training alone.


CONCLUSIONS
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. However, further high quality, large scale, randomised trials are needed.
Hwang
Chueh-Lung
CL
National Taiwan University, Taipei City, Taiwan.
Chien
Chen-Lin
CL
Wu
Ying-Tai
YT
D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D011788:Quality of Life; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods*; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*