title: Aquatic Exercise Training is Effective in Maintaining Exercise Performance in Trained Heart Failure Patients: A Randomised Crossover Pilot Trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Providing flexible models and a variety of exercise options are fundamental to supporting long-term exercise participation for patients with heart failure (HF). The aim of this pilot study was to determine the feasibility and efficacy of aquatic exercise training during a maintenance phase for a clinical heart failure population.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this 2 x 2 crossover design trial, individuals who had previously completed HF rehabilitation were randomised into either a land-based or aquatic training program once per week for six weeks, after which time they changed to the alternate exercise training protocol for an additional six weeks. Six-minute walk test (6MWT), grip strength, walk speed, and measures of balance were compared for the two training protocols.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-one participants (43 males, mean age 69.2 yrs) contributed data for the analysis. Both groups maintained function during the follow-up period, however improvements in 6MWT were greater in the land-based training group (95% CI: 0.7, 22.5; p=0.038), by a mean difference of 10.8 metres. No significant difference was observed for other parameters when the two training protocols were compared.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Attending an aquatic exercise program once per week is feasible for patients with stable HF and may provide a suitable option to maintain functional performance in select patients.
authors.affiliation: Heart Failure Service, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Qld, Australia; Physiotherapy Department, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Qld, Australia; School of Allied Health Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Qld, Australia; Menzies Health Institute, Brisbane, Qld, Australia. Electronic address: Julie.adsett@health.qld.gov.au.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Adsett
authors.affiliation: School of Allied Health Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Qld, Australia; Menzies Health Institute, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.
authors.forename: Norman
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.affiliation: School of Physiotherapy, Australian Catholic University, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kuys
authors.affiliation: Heart Recovery Service, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.affiliation: School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mullins
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.
authors.forename: Mohsina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khatun
authors.affiliation: Physiotherapy Department, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Qld, Australia; School of Allied Health Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Qld, Australia; Menzies Health Institute, Brisbane, Qld, Australia; Burns, Trauma and Critical Care Research Centre, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Paratz
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Aged Care, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mudge
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects
keywords: Aquatic exercise; Cardiomyopathy; Exercise training; Heart failure; Hydrotherapy