The influence of gender on functional recovery activities in rehabilitation cardiology: a retrospective study in individuals with heart failure

Abstract Background Scientific research has extensively demonstrated the existence of differences between men and women in various aspects of exercise, both in terms of physical performance and the physiological responses and adaptations to exercise. Purpose The aim of the present retrospective study was to assess the differences in response to a series of evaluation tests at the beginning and end of a rehabilitation programme in a sample of male and female subjects with heart failure. The study also sought to identify the determining effects of sex on health status and functional recovery. Methods This retrospective analysis was conducted in an Italian cardiology rehabilitation department between January 2023 and September 2024. The sample comprised a total of 114 patients, of whom 34 were women (mean age 76.8 ± 10.5 years) and 80 were men (mean age 68.2 ± 13.1 years). At both admission and discharge, the two groups underwent the following assessment tests: the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) (comprising balance test, gait speed, and chair stand), the 6-Minute Walk Test, and the EuroQol Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The rehabilitation regimen included two daily activities: a moderate-intensity aerobic workout (on an exercise bike or treadmill, according to the Borg CR10 scale) and respiratory gymnastics, joint and muscle function restoration, stretching exercises, and coordination and balance exercises. Results An analysis of the total SPPB score revealed a significant improvement in both the female and male samples at discharge (p = 0.0002). When evaluating the individual components of the SPPB test, differences were observed. Specifically, for the strength test, no improvement was noted following the training sessions. No significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of the subjective perception of health status (EuroQol) or the 6-Minute Walk Test. Discussion: Based on the evaluations conducted, it was evident that both groups achieved significant improvements in autonomy, functional recovery, and effort tolerance following rehabilitation treatment. No significant differences were observed in terms of speed and balance. Furthermore, no significant improvement was noted in strength. The differences recorded in the various components of the SPPB suggest that rehabilitation approaches, which are based on differentiated and sex-specific training interventions, may be more effective in addressing specific deficiencies, thereby providing a more targeted and beneficial service in terms of improving patient performance.