The effect of resistance training on clinical outcomes in heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives: To quantify the change in effect sizes, for selected clinical outcome measures, in people with heart failure, from resistance exercise, either in isolation, or in combination with aerobic training. Background: Most exercise training data in heart failure, relates to aerobic exercise, we sought to provide current evidence for the benefits of resistance training in this population. Methods: We conducted a MEDLINE search (1985 to May 1, 2016), for exercise based rehabilitation trials in heart failure, using search terms 'resistance training, combined training, left ventricular dysfunction, peak VO₂, cardiomyopathy and systolic heart dysfunction'. Results: The 27 included studies provided a total of 2321 participants, 1172 in an intervention and 1149 in either sedentary controls or aerobic exercise only groups, producing over 31,263 patient-hours of training. Mortality, hospitalization, resting blood pressure and Left ventricular fraction were all unchanged with resistance or combined aerobic and resistance training... Conclusions: Resistance only or combined training improves peak VO₂, quality of life and walking performance in heart failure patients.