High-intensity vs. Low-intensity Inspiratory Muscle Training in Patients With Heart Failure

It is well-known that muscle weakness and deconditioning play an important role in low exercise capacity of patients with HF. Interestingly, not only peripheral muscles are impaired, but also respiratory muscles. Studies have shown that patients with HF may have, in addition to decreasing maximal inspiratory muscle strength and endurance, metabolic and structural impairments in diaphragm fibers. Moreover, exercise capacity and weakness of inspiratory muscles have been associated with low quality of life and poor prognosis, which make the addition of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) reasonable in cardiovascular rehabilitation.The specifications of the loads to be imposed during IMT is the main factor determining the outcome. Studies of IMT have highlighted the need for a fixed inspiratory workload during exercise. Thus, purpose of this report was to perform a randomized clinical trial of the effects of addition of high-intensity vs. low-intensity IMT to combined aerobic and resistance Exercise in patients with heart failure.