Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 15, 2026
04:24
A Novel Digital Platform for a Monitored Home-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
Published on: April 19, 2019
12.9K
Aquatic exercise training and stable heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Julie A Adsett1, Alison M Mudge2, Norman Morris3
1Heart Failure Service, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia; Physiotherapy Department, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia; School of Allied Health Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia.
International Journal of Cardiology
|March 26, 2015
Summary
Aquatic exercise training improves exercise capacity and quality of life for heart failure patients, offering benefits similar to land-based programs. This water-based exercise is a safe alternative for those with heart failure.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Exercise Physiology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Heart failure (HF) significantly impacts exercise capacity and quality of life.
- Traditional land-based exercise programs are beneficial but may not be suitable for all HF patients.
- Exploring alternative exercise modalities is crucial for optimizing HF management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of aquatic exercise training compared to traditional land-based programs for individuals with heart failure.
- To review evidence on exercise performance, muscle strength, quality of life, and hemodynamic parameters.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted across major databases (MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane, CINAHL, PEDro) up to March 2014.
- Studies involving aquatic exercise interventions for heart failure patients were included.
- Comparator groups included usual care, no exercise, or land-based training alone.
Main Results:
- Meta-analysis of 8 studies (156 participants) showed aquatic exercise superior to comparators for the 6-minute walk test and peak power.
- Aquatic exercise demonstrated comparable benefits to land-based training for VO2peak, muscle strength, and quality of life.
- No significant influence of aquatic exercise was observed on cardiac dimensions, ejection fraction, cardiac output, or BNP levels.
Conclusions:
- Aquatic exercise training is effective in improving exercise capacity, muscle strength, and quality of life in stable heart failure patients.
- It offers similar benefits to land-based training and serves as a safe and viable alternative.
- This modality can enhance rehabilitation options for individuals with heart failure who cannot tolerate traditional exercise.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
6.2K
Exercise significantly impacts cardiovascular response, which is crucial for understanding patient health and designing effective treatment plans.
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
6.2K
01:22Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies
610
Additional therapies for treating patients with heart failure (HF) may include procedural interventions, supplemental oxygen, the management of sleep disorders, and nutritional therapy.Procedural InterventionsImplantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator: For patients at risk of life-threatening arrhythmias due to severe left ventricular dysfunction, an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) can detect and terminate these arrhythmias, preventing sudden cardiac death and improving survival rates.
610
01:17Exercise and Cardiac Output
3.4K
Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining cardiovascular health, with aerobic exercises being particularly effective. According to the American Heart Association, 150 minutes of moderate to intense aerobic exercise per week is recommended for a healthy heart. Aerobic activities may include brisk walking, running, bicycling, cross-country skiing, and swimming, ideally performed three to five times per week.
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be...
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be...
3.4K
01:30Heart Failure V: Medical Management
579
Medical Management of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (ADHF)The primary goals of therapy for patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) include:Relieving symptomsOptimizing volume statusSupporting oxygenation and ventilationMaintaining cardiac output (CO) and end-organ perfusionIdentifying and addressing the cause of ADHFPreventing complicationsProviding patient education on factors precipitating HF exacerbationPlanning for dischargeOngoing monitoring and assessment...
579
01:22Heart Failure Drugs: Diuretics
1.2K
Heart failure and kidney perfusion are interconnected in a complex way. Reduced renal perfusion and venous congestion are two significant factors that contribute to renal dysfunction in heart failure. The kidneys, primarily responsible for fluid balance in the body, are adversely affected due to compromised cardiac output and increased venous pressure. In response to reduced renal perfusion, the kidneys activate neurohumoral mechanisms to restore balance. However, these mechanisms can be...
1.2K
01:26Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System
1.5K
The activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) contributes to cardiac remodeling, and inhibiting the RAAS is a pharmacological target in heart failure management. As a result, neurohumoral modulation is a crucial treatment principle for managing heart failure. This approach involves using medications like ACE inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), β-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and neutral...
1.5K