Aerobic, Resistance, Inspiratory Training Outcomes in Heart Failure (ARISTOS-HF)

Aerobic, Resistance, Inspiratory Training Outcomes in Heart Failure. The ARISTOS-HF Trial: a Prospective Randomized Multicenter Trial

This study investigates the effects of aerobic, resistance, inspiratory training modalities outcomes in functional capacity and quality of life of heart failure (HF) patients, aiming for the 'optimum' (greek, αριστος=aristos) training program for HF patients.

Heart failure is a clinical syndrome characterized by symptoms of dyspnea, exercise intolerance and decreased quality of life. A weakness in both inspiratory and peripheral muscles is also reported. Aerobic training (AT) improves the functional status of HF patients (level of evidence IA). Additional benefits of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) and/or resistance training (RT) when combined with aerobic training (AT) in HF symptoms have also been found. Four exercise groups will be studied in order to identify the optimum exercise program I. Aerobic-Resistance-Inspiratory training (ARIS) group II. Aerobic Training-Resistance Training (AT/RT) group III. Aerobic training-Inspiratory Muscle Training (AT/IMT) group IV. Aerobic Training (AT) group

Patients will be submitted to a 12 week, 3 times/week, continuous aerobic (e.g. bike) training programme at an intensity of 60-80% max HR (or peakVO2) for 30 min combined with resistance training at an intensity of 50% of 1 Repetition Maximum (1RM) for quads training and upper limb exercises (elbow flex/shoulder flex/abd) using dumbbells (1-2 kg) (12-15 reps/3sets) for 10 min, combined also with inspiratory muscle training with a flow-resistive loading system at an intensity of 60% of maximal inspiratory pressure/sustained maximal inspiratory pressure (PImax/SPImax) for 20 min (Aerobic (30min) + Resistance (10min) + Inspiratory (20min) = 60 min)

Patients will be submitted to a 12 week, 3 times/week, continuous aerobic (e.g. bike) training programme at an intensity of 60-80% max HR (or peakVO2) for 30 min combined with resistance training at an intensity of 50% of 1RM for quads training, pectoralis m, serratus anterior m, and latissimus dorsi m and upper limb exercises (elbow flex/shoulder flex/abd) using dumbbells (1-2 kg) (12-15 reps/3sets). (Aerobic (30min) + Resistance (30min) = 60 min)

Patients will be submitted to a 12 week, 3 times/week, continuous aerobic (e.g. bike) training programme at an intensity of 60-80% max HR (or peakVO2) for 30 min combined with inspiratory muscle training with a flow-resistive loading system at an intensity of 60% of maximal inspiratory pressure/sustained maximal inspiratory pressure (PImax/SPImax) for 30min (Aerobic (30min) + Inspiratory (30min) = 60 min)

Patients will be submitted to a 12 week, 3 times/week continuous aerobic (e.g. bike) training programme at an intensity of 60-80% max HR (or peakVO2) for 30 min combined with callisthenics progressing to treadmill or bike (at the same intensity) for 30 min (Aerobic training = 60 min)

change in peak oxygen consumption (peakVO2, in ml/kg/min) using cardiopulmonary exercise testing (Medgraphics CPX/MAX, Medical Graphics Corp.,St. Paul, MN, USA, ZAN 600, ZAN Messgera¨te GmbH, Germany)

change in left ventricular dimension (mm) using resting 2-dimensional echocardiography (Ultrasound Vivid 7 or 6, General Electric Healthcare, Fairfield, CT, USA) with the Teichholz method

Questionnaire to evaluate exercise program preference (most enjoyed program) using a scale from 1 (=Very Little) to 5 (=Excellent)

change in left ventricular ejection fraction, echocardiography (Ultrasound Vivid 7 or 6, General Electric Healthcare, Fairfield, CT, USA) with the biplane Simpson' s method

Change in maximal inspiratory pressure (PImax in cmH2O) using an electronic pressure manometer with computer software (TRAINAIR®, Project Electronics Ltd, London, UK).

Change in inspiratory work capacity (sustained maximal inspiratory pressure (SPImax in cmH2O/s) using an electronic pressure manometer with computer software (TRAINAIR®, Project Electronics Ltd, London, UK).

Change in skeletal muscle endurance will be evaluated using the quadriceps muscle endurance with the product: 50%1Repetition Maximum x max number of reps

Inclusion Criteria: Chronic heart failure (from New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class II to NYHA III) Left ventricular ejection fraction below or equal to 35% Exclusion Criteria: Uncontrolled arrhythmia Pulmonary oedema or pulmonary congestion in the last 30 days Cognitive, neurological or orthopaedic limitations Respiratory infection during 30 days before the start of the study Pulmonary limitations (e.g COPD)

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Laoutaris ID, Piotrowicz E, Kallistratos MS, Dritsas A, Dimaki N, Miliopoulos D, Andriopoulou M, Manolis AJ, Volterrani M, Piepoli MF, Coats AJS, Adamopoulos S; ARISTOS-HF trial (Aerobic, Resistance, InSpiratory Training OutcomeS in Heart Failure) Investigators. Combined aerobic/resistance/inspiratory muscle training as the 'optimum' exercise programme for patients with chronic heart failure: ARISTOS-HF randomized clinical trial. Eur J Prev Cardiol. 2021 Dec 29;28(15):1626-1635. doi: 10.1093/eurjpc/zwaa091.