TY - JOUR
T1 - Leg-focused high-weight resistance training improves ventricular stroke volume, exercise capacity and strength in young patients with a Fontan circulation
AU - Scheffers, L E
AU - Helbing, W A
AU - Pereira, T
AU - Utens, E M W J
AU - Dulfer, K
AU - Hirsch, A
AU - Koopman, L P
AU - van den Berg, L E
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology.
PY - 2024/3/4
Y1 - 2024/3/4
N2 - Aims Effective therapy to improve exercise capacity in Fontan patients is lacking. Leg-focused high-weight resistance training might augment the peripheral muscle pump and thereby improve exercise capacity. Methods This randomized semi-cross-over controlled trial investigated the effects of a 12-week leg-focused high-weight resistance and results training plus high-protein diet, on (sub)maximal exercise capacity, cardiac function (assessed with cardiovascular magnetic resonance), muscle strength, and quality of life in paediatric Fontan patients. Twenty-eight paediatric Fontan patients were included, 27 patients, (median age 12.9 [10.5–15.7]), and successfully completed the programme. Peak oxygen uptake (PeakVO2) at baseline was reduced [33.3 mL/kg/min (27.1–37.4), 73% (62–79) of predicted]. After training PeakVO2/kg and Peak workload improved significantly with +6.2 mL/kg/min (95%CI: 3.4–9.0) (+18%) P < 0.001 and +22 Watts (95% CI: 12–32) (+18%) P < 0.001, respectively, compared to the control period. Indexed single ventricle stroke volume increased significantly [43 mL/beat/m2 (40–49) vs. 46 (41–53), P = 0.014], as did inferior vena cava flow [21 mL/beat/m2 (18–24) vs. 23 (20–28), P = 0.015], while superior vena cava flow remained unchanged. The strength of all measured leg-muscles increased significantly compared to the control period. Self-reported quality of life improved on the physical functioning and change in health domains of the child health questionnaire, parent-reported quality of life improved the bodily pain, general health perception, and change in health domains compared to the control period. Conclusion In a relatively large group of 27 older Fontan children, 12-weeks of leg-focused high-weight resistance training improved exercise capacity, stroke volume, (sub)maximal exercise capacity, muscle strength, and domains of quality of life. Registration International Clinical Trials: Trial NL8181. Lay summary Is leg-focused high-weight resistance training an effective therapy to improve reduced exercise capacity in patients with a Fontan circulation? • Key Finding: Twelve weeks of leg-focused high-weight resistance training in children with a Fontan circulation improved exercise capacity, single ventricular stroke volume, (sub)maximal exercise capacity, muscle strength, and physical domains of quality of life. • Take-home Message: Leg-focused high-weight resistance training results in improved exercise capacity, cardiac function, and quality of life patients with a Fontan circulation. Patients with a Fontan circulation should be motivated to perform lower limb strengthening exercises.
AB - Aims Effective therapy to improve exercise capacity in Fontan patients is lacking. Leg-focused high-weight resistance training might augment the peripheral muscle pump and thereby improve exercise capacity. Methods This randomized semi-cross-over controlled trial investigated the effects of a 12-week leg-focused high-weight resistance and results training plus high-protein diet, on (sub)maximal exercise capacity, cardiac function (assessed with cardiovascular magnetic resonance), muscle strength, and quality of life in paediatric Fontan patients. Twenty-eight paediatric Fontan patients were included, 27 patients, (median age 12.9 [10.5–15.7]), and successfully completed the programme. Peak oxygen uptake (PeakVO2) at baseline was reduced [33.3 mL/kg/min (27.1–37.4), 73% (62–79) of predicted]. After training PeakVO2/kg and Peak workload improved significantly with +6.2 mL/kg/min (95%CI: 3.4–9.0) (+18%) P < 0.001 and +22 Watts (95% CI: 12–32) (+18%) P < 0.001, respectively, compared to the control period. Indexed single ventricle stroke volume increased significantly [43 mL/beat/m2 (40–49) vs. 46 (41–53), P = 0.014], as did inferior vena cava flow [21 mL/beat/m2 (18–24) vs. 23 (20–28), P = 0.015], while superior vena cava flow remained unchanged. The strength of all measured leg-muscles increased significantly compared to the control period. Self-reported quality of life improved on the physical functioning and change in health domains of the child health questionnaire, parent-reported quality of life improved the bodily pain, general health perception, and change in health domains compared to the control period. Conclusion In a relatively large group of 27 older Fontan children, 12-weeks of leg-focused high-weight resistance training improved exercise capacity, stroke volume, (sub)maximal exercise capacity, muscle strength, and domains of quality of life. Registration International Clinical Trials: Trial NL8181. Lay summary Is leg-focused high-weight resistance training an effective therapy to improve reduced exercise capacity in patients with a Fontan circulation? • Key Finding: Twelve weeks of leg-focused high-weight resistance training in children with a Fontan circulation improved exercise capacity, single ventricular stroke volume, (sub)maximal exercise capacity, muscle strength, and physical domains of quality of life. • Take-home Message: Leg-focused high-weight resistance training results in improved exercise capacity, cardiac function, and quality of life patients with a Fontan circulation. Patients with a Fontan circulation should be motivated to perform lower limb strengthening exercises.
KW - Cardiac magnetic resonance
KW - Exercise capacity
KW - Fontan Circulation
KW - Muscle strength
KW - Quality of life
KW - Strength exercise
KW - Stroke volume
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85186905441&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1093/eurjpc/zwad286
DO - 10.1093/eurjpc/zwad286
M3 - Article
C2 - 37668334
SN - 2047-4873
VL - 31
SP - 389
EP - 399
JO - European Journal of Preventive Cardiology
JF - European Journal of Preventive Cardiology
IS - 4
ER -