The overall

improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction selleck chemicals llc was comparable to that obtained with aerobic training only (WMD –0.5%, 95% CI –4.3 to 3.3) ( Figure 2, see also Figure 3 on the eAddenda for detailed forest plot). Exercise capacity: The effect of resistance training alone on peak oxygen consumption was calculated using the pooled post-intervention data of four studies with 96 participants. Resistance training alone showed a favourable trend only on peak oxygen consumption (WMD 1.4 ml/kg/min, 95% CI –0.3 to 3.1) ( Figure 4a, see also Figure 5a on the eAddenda for detailed forest plot). The effect of resistance training as an adjunct to aerobic training was derived from three studies with 115 participants. The addition of resistance training to aerobic training did not significantly affect peak oxygen consumption (WMD –0.7 ml/kg/min, 95% CI –2.3 to 1.0) ( Figure 4b, see also Figure 5b on the eAddenda for detailed forest plot). Two studies with 40 participants examined the effect of resistance training alone on the 6-minute walk test. The post-intervention data were pooled using a fixed effect model. Resistance training increased the 6-minute walk distance significantly, by 52 m (95% CI 19 to 85) more than non-training (Figure

6, see also Torin 1 Figure 7 on the eAddenda for detailed forest plot). No studies of resistance training as an adjunct to aerobic exercise measured the 6-minute walk distance. Quality of life: Two studies examining the effect of resistance training alone measured quality of life. Cider and colleagues (1997) used the Quality of Life Questionnaire – Heart Failure, which measures somatic and emotional aspects, many life satisfaction, and physical limitations. They reported unchanged quality of life in the training group. Tyni-Lenné and colleagues (2001) used the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire as the measurement tool, on which

lower scores indicate better quality of life. They reported a beneficial effect of resistance training on quality of life after 8 weeks, with median scores of 19 (range 0 to 61) in the resistance training group and 44 (range 3 to 103) in the control group (p < 0.001). Two studies with 57 participants examined the effect of resistance exercise as an adjunct to aerobic training. Both used the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire. Their data were pooled using a fixed effect model. Adding resistance training to aerobic training programs did not significantly change Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire scores compared to those obtained with aerobic exercise alone, WMD 0.9 (95% CI –5.4 to 3.7) (Figure 8, see also Figure 9 on the eAddenda for detailed forest plot). A third study (Beckers et al 2008) used the Health Complaints Scale, which primarily measures somatic symptoms.