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

Introduction Resistance training (RT) has been shown to improve chronic heart failure (CHF) patientsʹ 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.