Exercise-based rehabilitation improves skeletal muscle capacity, exercise tolerance, and quality of life in both women and men with chronic heart failure

Abstract

Background: Data of training effects in chronic heart failure patients are based on findings in men. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of skeletal muscle endurance training between men and women with chronic heart failure.

Methods and results: Twelve consecutive men (mean [+/- SD] age 58 +/- 9 years, left ventricular ejection fraction 29 +/- 9%) and 12 women (60 +/- 10 years, left ventricular ejection fraction 28 +/- 7%) with moderate, chronic heart failure stratified according to age and inclusion criteria were investigated at baseline and after 8 weeks of knee extensor endurance training. The activity of skeletal muscle citrate synthase and resting heart rate were similar in men and women at baseline and with training improved (P < .0001) similarly in both genders. Peak work rate (P < .0001), peak oxygen uptake (P < .001) and muscle strength (P < .05) at baseline were higher in men than in women. Training improved peak work rate (P < .0001) and muscle strength (P < .0001) similarly in both genders, while improvement in peak oxygen uptake was better in women (P < .001). The distance ambulated during 6 minutes was similar in both genders at baseline and increased after training more in men (P < .004). The overall and physical Sickness Impact Profile indicated similarly reduced health-related quality of life in men and women, while worse psychosocial quality of life was observed in men (P < .05). Both genders improved after exercise training in the overall, physical, and psychosocial Sickness Impact Profile (P < .01).

Conclusions: Exercise-based rehabilitation improves skeletal muscle capacity, exercise tolerance, and the health-related quality of life in women as well as in men with moderate, chronic heart failure.