Effects of Upper Extremity Low Volume HIIT in Heart Failure

The Effect of Upper Extremity Low-Volume High-Intensity Interval Training on Physical and Cognitive Functions in Heart Failure Patients

This study was planned to investigate the effects of upper extremity low-volume high-intensity interval training (LV-HIIT) on physical and cognitive function in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction(HFpEF).The research was planned as a randomized controlled trial. Patients with clinically stable HFpEF at cardiology clinic will be included in the study. These cases will be randomly divided into two groups: intervention group and control grup. After 8 weeks intervention physical functions before and after treatment; functional exercise capacity, arm exercise capacities , peripheral muscle strength , fatigue cognitive functions; anxiety and depression and fear of movement will be evaluated.

Patients in the DV-HIIT group will receive training consisting of 4 minutes of warm-up and cool-down at 50% Wmax on an arm ergometer, 1 minute of training at 85-95% Wmax work intensity, followed by 6 interval training periods including 1 minute of active recovery periods at 50-70% Wmax, 2 days/week, totaling 8 weeks of training. The control group will be followed with standard medical treatment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Clinical condition stable for ≥4 weeks.
• New York Heart Association functional classification I-II to III
• Over 18 years old

Exclusion Criteria:

History of CABG surgery

• Unstable angina pectoris
• Severe arrhythmia
• Acute pericarditis, endocarditis, myocarditis
• Severe left ventricular failure (EF <40%)
• Acute pulmonary embolism
• History of syncope
• Dissecting aneurysm
• Thrombophlebitis
• Orthopedic disorders that may interfere with exercise
• Uncontrolled hypertension, severe pulmonary arterial hypertension
• Moderate-severe valve disease
• Decompensated Congestive Heart Failure
• Electrolyte abnormalities
• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy