Does the Addition of Strength Training to a High-Intensity Interval Training Program Benefit More the Patients with Chronic Heart Failure.

Background: Aerobic exercise, either continuous or high intensity interval training (HIIT), induces important benefits in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients. Resistance training has been also shown to be beneficial in CHF. However, data regarding combined aerobic exercise and muscle strength training is still limited.

A Cardiac Rehabilitation Program Increases the Acute Response of Endothelial Progenitor Cells to Maximal Exercise in Heart Failure Patients.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a cardiac rehabilitation program on the acute response on endothelial progenitor cells and circulating endothelial cells after maximal exercise in patients with chronic heart failure of different severity.

Methods: Forty-four chronic heart failure patients were enrolled in a 36-session cardiac rehabilitation program. All patients underwent an initial maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test before and a final maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test after the cardiac rehabilitation program.

The acute and long-term effects of a cardiac rehabilitation program on endothelial progenitor cells in chronic heart failure patients: Comparing two different exercise training protocols.

Background: Vascular endothelial dysfunction is an underlying pathophysiological feature of chronic heart failure (CHF). Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are also impaired. The purpose of the study was to assess the effect of a cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program on the increase of EPCs at rest and on the acute response after maximal exercise in patients with CHF and investigate whether there were differences between two exercise training protocols and patients of NYHA II and III classes.