The effect of physical training on workload, upper leg muscle function and muscle areas in patients with chronic heart failure.

Objective: To investigate the effect of physical training (PTr) on upper leg muscle area, muscle strength and muscle endurance expressed as upper leg muscle function (ULMF) in relation to exercise performance in CHF.

Design: Randomised to a training (TG) or control group (CG).

Setting: Outpatient cardiac rehabilitation centre of community hospital.

Determinants of maximal exercise performance in chronic heart failure.

Background: Chronic heart failure (CHF) is characterized by symptoms like fatigue, dyspnoea and limited exercise performance. It has been postulated that maximal exercise performance (Wmax) is predominantly limited by skeletal muscle function and less by heart function.

Aim: To study the interrelation between most relevant muscle and anthropometrical variables and Wmax in CHF patients in order to develop a model that describes the impact of these variables for maximal exercise performance.

Duodenal motility during a run-bike-run protocol: the effect of a sports drink.

Objective: To examine the effect of a sports drink during strenuous exercise on duodenal motility and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Methods: In a cross-over design, seven male triathletes performed two 170-min run-bike-run tests at about 70% peak oxygen uptake (O(2peak)), with either a 7% carbohydrate (CHO) sports drink or tap water. Antroduodenal motility (phase III of the migrating motor complex; MMC) was measured with an ambulant manometry system.