Intermittent training for rehabilitation of heart failure patients: a systematic review

Many studies have investigated the effects of moderate continuous training for patients with heart failure. Intermittent training has also proven effective in the treatment of these subjects, as it allows higher intensity exercise. However, the optimal intensity for obtaining the greatest benefits from a training program has not yet been established. In this context, the purpose of this paperis to review the literature on studies using intermittent training in patients with heart failure, summarizing their findings and identifying areas for future research. Seven randomized controlled trials were found and analyzed,involving 417 patients (347 men). All the trials showed improvements resulting from intermittent training in there habilitation programs of patients with heart failure,with no cardiac events recorded during the exercises. Despite the wide variation in the exercise intensity prescription models in the studies, intermittent training seems to be an interesting strategy for the rehabilitation of this population. Further investigation is needed to standardize the prescription model and identify the most appropriate intensities for physical training programs working with heart failure patients.