Association Between Upper Limb Strength Through 1-Repetition Maximum Test and V’O_2peak in Heart Failure

ABSTRACT

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate whether there is a correlation between the maximum strength of upper limb when performing a multijoint exercise and peak oxygen uptake (V’O_2peak) in Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) subjects. Method: This cross-sectional study involved CHF subjects with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) less than 50%, who underwent a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) on a treadmill and 1-repetition maximum (1-RM) test for upper limb strength using a bench press exercise. Results: The sample consisted of 16 individuals aged 54 ± 12 years with a LVEF of 37 ± 7%. The V’O_2peak was 14.98 ± 5.4 ml·min⁻¹·kg⁻¹ and mean maximum load in the 1-RM test was 38 ± 16 kg. There was strong correlation of V’O_2peak with the load in the 1-RM test (r = 0.70; p = .037; r² = 0.48). Conclusion: There is a strong correlation between the load in 1-RM test for upper limb with V’O_2peak in CHF individuals. It is a safe, inexpensive and reproducible way to assess the muscle strength in this population.

KEYWORDS:

• Cardiac rehabilitation
• exercise test
• cardiopulmonary exercise test
• muscle strength

Acknowledgments

The authors thank all patients who participated in the research and the entire team who provided support during data collection.

Authors’ contributions

WMMS, MCV, PMCN, RCP, HML, and MSR contributed to study design and revision. WMMS, MCV, PMCN, SMS, RK, and MSR contributed to acquisition, analysis, and interpretation of data. All the authors discussed the results and implications and commented on the manuscript at all stages. All the authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

IRB approval and ethical responsibilities

This research was approved by Ethics Research Committee of the institution, under protocol CAAE57922516.8.0000.5265. The authors state that the procedures followed were in accordance with the regulations established by the heads of the Commission for Clinical and Ethical Research and according to those of the World Medical Association and the Declaration of Helsinki. The authors declare that no patient private data appear in this article. All patients signed a written consent.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed on the publisher’s website.