Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026
Effects of Surgical Masks on Cardiopulmonary Function in Healthy Subjects
Published on: February 12, 2021
Effects of Cycle Ergometer Exercise on Functional Capacity and Hospitalization Time of Patients After Open-Heart
Monielly Simas1, Aline Almeida Gulart1,2, Vicente Paulo Ponte Souza Filho3
1Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina Florianópolis Santa Catarina Brazil Postgraduate Program in Physiotherapy, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
Introduction:
Cycle ergometer in the postoperative period of open-heart surgery is a safe and economical exercise option. However, its specific effects, whether or not associated with conventional physiotherapy, are not well established in current literature. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of cycle ergometer exercise associated or not with conventional physical therapy, compared with only conventional physical therapy, on functional capacity, hospitalization time, peripheral muscle strength, and pulmonary complications of patients after open-heart surgery.
Methods:
MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, and Cochrane Library were searched; manual searches were also conducted in the references of the included studies. Randomized controlled trials that analyzed the effects of cycle ergometer exercise associated or not with conventional physical therapy compared with only conventional physical therapy in adult patients after an open-heart surgery were included. Methodological quality was assessed by Cochrane risk-of-bias tool, and the meta-analysis was undertaken using RevMan 5.3.
Results:
Mean difference in the six-minute walk test (31 meters, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.59 to 60.3 meters, P = 0.04) was higher and in intensive care unit stay was lower (-0.5 days, 95% CI: -0.86 to -0.14 days, P = 0.007) in the intervention group. The total hospitalization time (-0.18 days, 95% CI: -0.73 to 0.38 days, P = 0.53) didn't change between groups.
Conclusion:
Cycle ergometer exercises improved functional capacity but with no clinically relevant effects on hospitalization time after open-heart surgeries.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
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...
01:17Exercise and Cardiac Output
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be met...
01:28Cardiomyopathy VII: Pre and Post Operative Nursing Management
01:29Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care
01:25Correlation between ECG and Cardiac Cycle
A cardiac action potential originates in the SA node and spreads throughout the atria and the AV node in approximately 0.03 seconds. This results in the P wave in an ECG and triggers atrial contraction. The action potential is then briefly slowed at the AV node, allowing the atria to contract and fill the ventricles with blood before...
01:19Cardiac Output I:Effect of Heart Rate on Cardiac Output
Cardiac output (CO) refers to the total amount of blood ejected by one of the ventricles in liters per minute (L/min). In a resting adult, CO ranges from 5 to 6 L/min, adjusting according to the body's metabolic requirements.
Effect of Heart Rate on Cardiac Output
Cardiac output adapts to metabolic demands during stress, physical activity, or illness. The autonomic nervous system regulates heart rate via the sinoatrial node. The parasympathetic nervous system decreases heart rate...