Effect of eccentric exercise on quality of life and function in people with chronic heart failure: a pilot randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Purpose: To determine if eccentric exercise was effective, safe and feasible in increasing function and quality of life in people with heart failure compared to usual care and a waitlist control group. Methods: A prospective, three-armed, parallel-design, assessor-blind, pilot randomised controlled trial with 1:1:1 allocation. Forty-seven participants (16 female; mean age 66 years) with mild to moderate heart failure were randomly allocated to either eccentric exercise, concentric exercise or a waitlist control group. Participants in the exercise groups completed twice-weekly exercise for eight weeks. Primary outcome was walking capacity. Secondary outcomes were quality of life, leg strength..