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Using exercise training to counterbalance chronotropic incompetence and delayed heart rate recovery in systemic lupus erythematosus: A randomized trial
Author(s) -
Miossi Renata,
Benatti Fabiana B.,
Lúciade de Sá Pinto Ana,
Lima Fernanda R.,
Borba Eduardo F.,
Prado Danilo M. L.,
Perandini Luiz Augusto,
Gualano Bruno,
Bonfá Eloisa,
Roschel Hamilton
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
arthritis care and research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.032
H-Index - 163
eISSN - 2151-4658
pISSN - 2151-464X
DOI - 10.1002/acr.21678
Subject(s) - chronotropic , medicine , randomized controlled trial , heart rate , analysis of variance , body mass index , cardiology , physical therapy , lupus erythematosus , blood pressure , immunology , antibody
Objective To evaluate the efficacy of a 3‐month exercise training program in counteracting the chronotropic incompetence and delayed heart rate recovery in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods A 12‐week randomized trial was conducted. Twenty‐four inactive SLE patients were randomly assigned into 2 groups: trained (T; n = 15, 3‐month exercise program) and nontrained (NT; n = 13). A sex‐, body mass index–, and age‐matched healthy control (C) group (n = 8) also underwent the exercise program. Subjects were assessed at baseline and at 12 weeks after training. Main measurements included the chronotropic reserve (CR) and the heart rate (HR) recovery (ΔHRR) as defined by the difference between HR at peak exercise and at both the first (ΔHRR1) and second (ΔHRR2) minutes after the exercise test. Results Neither the NT SLE patients nor the C group presented any change in the CR or in ΔHRR1 and ΔHRR2 ( P > 0.05). The exercise training program was effective in promoting significant increases in CR ( P = 0.007, effect size [ES] 1.15) and in ΔHRR1 and ΔHRR2 ( P = 0.009, ES 1.12 and P = 0.002, ES 1.11, respectively) in the SLE T group when compared with the NT group. Moreover, the HR response in SLE patients after training achieved parameters comparable to the C group, as evidenced by the analysis of variance and by the Z score analysis ( P > 0.05, T versus C). Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index scores remained stable throughout the study. Conclusion A 3‐month exercise training program was safe and capable of reducing the chronotropic incompetence and the delayed ΔHRR observed in physically inactive SLE patients.