VOLUME OF EXERCISE PERFORMED BY HEART FAILURE INPATIENTS UNDERGOING CARDIAC REHABILITATION – A QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

INTRODUCTION: Heart Failure inpatients have a significant functional dependence, impairment of performance in activities of daily living and low exercise tolerance... The amount of Exercise is directly related to its benefits and the volume of exercise performed must be adjusted to safety issues. The aim of this study is to evaluate the volume of exercise performed and it’s relation with functional capacity and find a baseline volume level safe and effective. METHODS: Quasi-experimental study involving 72 inpatients who performed an aerobic exercise training program. Volume of exercise was registered in terms of number of cycloergometer turns, meters walked, steps climbed and the total time exercising. Subjective perception of exertion was evaluated in every training session at beginning and in the end. Patients performed two 6-minute walking tests (6MWT). RESULTS: 987 exercise sessions were performed. The majority of the patients were significant impaired: 81.9% are NYHA III and 73.6% present HFrEF. Patients achieved lower levels of perceived exertion throughout the inhospital stay: 6 (±3) (admission) and 2(±2) (discharge). Patients who performed more volume of exercise walked a higher distance in the discharge 6MWT. CONCLUSION: A bigger volume of aerobic exercise is related to a better improvement on functional outcomes. An average of more than 10 minutes per session seems to be more effective in terms of improvement of the functional capacity.