AEROBIC EXERCISES IN HEART FAILURE - A REVIEW

OBJECTIVETo determine the effect of aerobic exercise training on the quality of life QoL,morbidity, mortality of patients with Heart Failure (HF)EBSCO Host, MedLine, Cochrane database, CINHAL, Ovid, AMED were thedatabases searched, from 1999 to 2010 which was the peak era of implementationof aerobic exercises for HF and other cardiac diseases.The studies that involved aerobic exercise either in combination or alone wereincluded according to the criteria of New York Heart Association (NYHA) classI-III HF patients. Randomized control trails (RTCs) and systematic reviews wereincluded in the study.The screening of the papers was done by three review authors. The initial screeningwas conducted by the first author followed by further selection by thesecond and third.10 articles met the inclusion criteria including 3 systematic reviews. 3647 participantsmade one trial greater than the rest. The average age observed was from30-82 years, where males were dominating in almost all studies. The reviewreveals no statistical differences in the mortality and morbidity. There was noindividual effect of aerobic exercise on QoL whereas better results werereviewed when performed in combination.Aerobic exercises have improved the physiological function, aerobic capacityand quality of life among the patients suffering with HF. However, these exercisetherapies were given in combination with resistance training but distinctessence for