The effect of aerobic versus resistance exercise training on peak cardiac power output and physical functional capacity in patients with chronic heart failure

Both aerobic and resistance exercise training may improve exercise tolerance in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). To date, only a few studies have reported the central haemodynamic response to aerobic exercise training in CHF patients [ 1 ]. None of these investigations, however, assessed the effect of exercise training on the power generating capacity of the heart in chronic CHF patients. Peak cardiac power output, as a direct indicator of overall cardiac function [ 2 ] and cardiac pumping ability [ 3 ], has been shown to be a most powerful predictor of prognosis and mortality in patients with CHF [ 4 ]. To date, the effect of aerobic or resistance exercise training on cardiac power output has not been evaluated in CHF patients. The present study aimed to provide further evidence for the use of exercise as a clinical therapy in CHF patients. Specifically, the present study assessed the effect of aerobic and resistance exercise training on cardiac power output and physical functional capacity in patients with CHF.