Effects of exercise training at the ventilatory threshold in subjects with chronic heart failure

Objectives - Study was to assess the effects of exercise training at the ventilatory threshold on exercise tolerance and quality of life in subjects with chronic heart failure. Methods and results - Nine subjects with moderate chronic heart failureperformed: a maximal exercise test and a six-minute walk test and responded to a quality of life questionnaire, both before and after the training program. The exercise training consisted of 46 minutes of cycling, three times per week, for eight weeks, and the exercise intensity was the heart rate at the ventilatory threshold +/- 5 beats/min. The results showed that exercise training at the ventilatory threshold improves exercise tolerance (maximal and submaximal) and quality of life in subjects with chronic heart failure. These training benefits were very satisfactory compared with other results in the literature. Conclusion - An individualized exercise intensity set at the ventilatory threshold ensures optimal benefits of exercise training in subjects with chronic heart failure. (C) 2001 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.