International Journal of Cardiology
Volume 105, Issue 2 , Pages 159-163, 2 November 2005

The effect of resistance training on left ventricular function and structure of patients with chronic heart failure☆

  • Itamar Levinger

      Affiliations

    • School of Exercise Science and Sport Management, Southern Cross University, P.O. Box 157 Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Victoria University of Technology (Footscray Park Campus), School of Human Movement, Performance and Recreation, PO Box 14428, Melbourne, VIC 8001, Australia. Tel.: +61 3 9919 4207; fax: +61 3 9688 4891.
    • ,
  • Roger Bronks

      Affiliations

    • School of Exercise Science and Sport Management, Southern Cross University, P.O. Box 157 Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia
    • ,
  • David V. Cody

      Affiliations

    • John Flynn Private Hospital-Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
    • ,
  • Ian Linton

      Affiliations

    • John Flynn Private Hospital-Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
    • ,
  • Allan Davie

      Affiliations

    • School of Exercise Science and Sport Management, Southern Cross University, P.O. Box 157 Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia

Received 24 August 2004; accepted 13 November 2004.

Abstract 

Introduction

Resistance training (RT) has been shown to improve chronic heart failure (CHF) patients' functional ability and quality of life. Despite these benefits RT has not always been recommend as a form of exercise principally because of a concern for acceleration of the left ventricular (LV) remodeling process. This study investigated the effects of 8 weeks RT on the LV structure and function of patients with CHF.

Method

Fifteen men who suffered from CHF were divided into either a RT program or non-training control group. Before and after 8 weeks of training patients underwent resting echocardiography to assess their end-diastolic and end-systolic dimensions (EDD and ESD, respectively), ejection fraction (EF), fractional shortening (FS) and stroke volume (SV).

Results

A repeated measured ANOVA showed that 8 weeks of RT had no significant effect on the LV measurements (group×time, p>0.05). Post training comparison, however, revealed that the EF and FS of the training group was significantly higher than in the control group (40.9±10.5% vs. 30.3±4.6%, p=0.029 and 25.0±7.0% vs. 17.4±3.1%, p=0.020 respectively).

Conclusion

RT is a suitable method of training for CHF patients since it does not cause a reduction of LV contractility function or enhance myocardial deterioration as measured by EF and FS.

Keywords: Resistance training, Chronic heart failure, Left ventricular remodeling process

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☆ Grant: the study was partly supported by Roche Products Pty Ltd NSW, Australia.

PII: S0167-5273(05)00260-3

doi:10.1016/j.ijcard.2004.11.022

International Journal of Cardiology
Volume 105, Issue 2 , Pages 159-163, 2 November 2005

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