None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The purpose of this study is to identify whether resistance (weight) training results in improvements in fitness and well being for patients with stable chronic systolic heart failure. Systolic heart failure is a condition where the heart muscle cannot pump blood as vigorously as usual. Resistance exercise training involves the use of muscle groups to push and pull against a smooth hydraulic force. In this study participants are randomly allocated to 3 months of either resistance exercise training or no exercise training. Tests are carried out before, during and after the 3-month period to determine differences between the 2 groups in a number of measures of fitness and well being.
Interventions
3 months (3 times per week, 1 hour per session) progressive resistance training exercise using a multistation hydraulic resistance training system (Hydra-Gym), leg cycling ergometers and a set of 5 stairs. The Hydra-Gym has 6 resistance settings for each movement. All participants started on setting 2 and progression to the next resistance setting was determined by the number of repetitions achieved within a given work interval in the two previous training sessions. When a patient remained symp
3 months (3 times per week, 1 hour per session) progressive resistance training exercise using a multistation hydraulic resistance training system (Hydra-Gym), leg cycling ergometers and a set of 5 stairs. The Hydra-Gym has 6 resistance settings for each movement. All participants started on setting 2 and progression to the next resistance setting was determined by the number of repetitions achieved within a given work interval in the two previous training sessions. When a patient remained symptom-free and recorded an increase of 25% in the number of repetitions achieved in a work interval during two consecutive training sessions, the resistance of that particular resistance activity was increased to the next setting.
Sponsors
Prof David L. Hare
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
(i) Any aetiology of left ventricular systolic failure; (ii) left ventricular ejection fraction below 40%; (iii) stable pharmacological therapy with a minimum of two weeks unaltered drug therapy at entry.
Exclusion criteria
(i) New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class IV patients with symptoms at rest or minimal activity; (ii) cardiovascular limitations that would prevent taking part in the exercise program such as previous cardiac arrest, symptomatic ventricular tachycardia or current exercise limitation because of angina; (iii) musculo-skeletal or respiratory problems that would prevent appropriate exercise; (iv) inadequate comprehension of English which would preclude understanding the study or completing quality of life questionnaires.
Outcome results
None listed