Abstract
The efficacy and safety of utilizing resistance training (RT) in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) are examined. Typically, patients with CHF have a poor clinical status, reduced exercise tolerance, and a decreased quality of life (QoL). The traditional medical treatment model considers aerobic exercise training (AET) as the integral nonpharmacological component for the management of patients with CHF, while recommendations for RT continue to be cautiously withheld. Accelerated skeletal muscle atrophy, a hallmark of CHF, is not adequately addressed through the use of AET alone. RT has been established as a safe and effective mode of exercise to improve functional outcomes and mitigate the accelerated muscle wasting typically seen in patients with CHF. The positive adaptations RT can provide to patients with CHF were investigated. Also examined were how these positive alterations to skeletal muscle compare to different types of exercise programs (e.g. AET, combined training programs, and circuit training). Finally, the proper prescription of RT for the CHF patient, specifically, the tailoring of dosages to achieve specific muscular fitness goals (e.g. muscular strength, muscular hypertrophy, and muscular endurance) were addressed.