Does the Addition of Strength Training to a High-Intensity Interval Training Program Benefit More the Patients with Chronic Heart Failure?

Background: Aerobic exercise, either continuous or high intensity interval training (HIIT), induces important benefits in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients. Resistance has been also shown to be beneficial CHF. However, data regarding combined aerobic exercise and muscle strength is still limited. The aim of this study was investigate whether adding a HIIT protocol within cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program cumulative effect on the functional capacity (FC) quality life (QoL) patients with Methods: Forty-four consecutive [35 males, ejection fraction (EF) <50%] CHF under medication enrolled 36-session CR were randomized two groups; (HIIT group) (high (COM) group). All underwent baseline endpoint outcome measures symptom-limited maximal cardiopulmonary testing (CPET), 1 repetition maximum (1RM) test, muscular endurance echocardiography, Minnesota Living Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLWHFQ). Results: Most CPET indices, EF, 1RM QoL improved after each group (p < 0.05). COM demonstrated further improvement chest workload at anaerobic threshold (AT) compared group. Conclusions: An exercise-based program, consisted training, improves FC addition seems have effects endurance, as well AT. Clinical Trial Registration: registered ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT02387411.