Table 2 Randomized controlled cross-over trials of exercise training in patients with impaired left ventricular function

Coats 1990, 1992 [10,12]

ExT n = 17

Home-based 8 week

Ex tolerance increased by 18.7% (P < 0.001)

program. Cycle for 20 min

Peak O₂ uptake increased by 18.2% (P < 0.01)

× 3/week at 60–80%

Other physiological benefits included decreased ventilation

max HR

and improved heart rate variability

Adamopoulos 1993 [34]

ExT n = 12

Home-based 8 week

Reduced intramuscular phosphocreatine depletion and ADP

program. Cycle for 20 min

accumulation (P < 0.003)

× 3/week at 60–80%

max HR

Radaelli 1996 [35]

ExT n = 6

Home-based 20 min cycle

Peak VO₂ increased by 15% (P < 0.05)

× 5 days/week × 5 weeks

Improved autonomic control of HR and peripheral vessels

Meyer 1997 [36]

ExT n = 18

Interval cycle and treadmill

Ex distance up 65% (P < 0.001)

training for 3 weeks

Tyni-Lenne 1997 [37]

ExT n = 16

Knee extensor endurance

Citrate synthase increased by 44% (P < 0.0001),

(women)

training for 8 weeks

lactate dehydrogenase increased by 23% (P < 0.002),

oxidative capacity in relation to glycolytic capacity increased

by 23% (P < 0.002)

Peak O₂ uptake increased by 14% (P < 0.0005)

Peak work rate increased by 43% (P < 0.0001)

Increased distance ambulated during 6 min (P < 0.03)

Improved overall (P < 0.01), physical (P < 0.05), and

psychosocial (P < 0.03) health-related quality of life

Ohtsubo 1997 [38]

ExT n = 7

Unilateral calf plantar flexion

Smaller reduction in standardized intramuscular

exercise

phosphocreatine and intracellular pH after training (P < 0.05)

New Borg scale improved (P < 0.05)

Taylor 1999 [39]

ExT n = 8

Training 3/week × 8 weeks

Ex time increased by 7.4%, peak O₂ uptake increased by

17.6% (P < 0.05), peak cardiac index increased by 10%

(P < 0.05)

Owen 2000 [40]

ExT n = 22

Training 1/week × 12 weeks

Distance walked in 6 min increased by 20% (P < 0.012)

elderly patients

(15 completed)

Maiorana 2000 [41]

ExT n = 13

Circuit weight training

Peak O₂ uptake increased by 11.8% (P < 0.01)

program for 8 weeks

Ex time increased by 18.4% (P < 0.01)

Maximal skeletal muscle isotonic voluntary contractile strength

increased by 17.9% (P < 0.001)