Key result
Men with HFrEF had significantly worse performance on all modified Fullerton functional fitness test items compared to healthy controls, which strongly correlated with standard heart failure tests.
Why the study?
The Fullerton functional fitness test appeared appropriate for assessing physical fitness and everyday functional abilities in heart failure patients.
Does the modified Fullerton Functional Fitness Test effectively evaluate functional abilities in men with HFrEF compared to healthy subjects?
Case-Control (n=54)
Does the modified Fullerton Functional Fitness Test effectively evaluate functional abilities in men with HFrEF compared to healthy subjects?
The modified Fullerton Functional Fitness Test, including handgrip strength measurement, is an effective and practical tool for functional evaluation in patients with HFrEF.
FFFT may aid functional assessment in HFrEF; leaves open need for larger prospective validation.
The assessment of functional abilities reflects the ability to perform everyday life activities that require specific endurance and physical fitness. The Fullerton functional fitness test (FFFT) seems to be the most appropriate for assessing physical fitness in heart failure (HF) patients. The study group consisted of 30 consecutive patients hospitalized for the routine assessment of HF with a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). They formed the study group, and 24 healthy subjects formed the control group. Each patient underwent a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET), transthoracic echocardiography and FFFT modified by adding the measurement of the handgrip force of the dominant limb with the digital dynamometer. The HF patients had significantly lower peak oxygen uptake (peakVO2), maximal minute ventilation, and higher ventilatory equivalent (VE/VCO2). The concentrations of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP) were significantly higher in the study group. The results of all the FFFT items were significantly worse in the study group. FFFT parameters, together with the assessment of the strength of the handgrip, strongly correlated with the results of standard tests in HF. FFFT is an effective and safe tool for the functional evaluation of patients with HFrEF. Simple muscle strength measurement with a hand-held dynamometer can become a convenient and practical indicator of muscle strength in HF patients.
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Migaj et al. (2022) conducted a case-control in Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) (n=54). Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) vs. Healthy subjects was evaluated on Functional abilities assessed by the modified Fullerton functional fitness test (FFFT). Men with HFrEF had significantly worse performance on all modified Fullerton functional fitness test items compared to healthy controls, which strongly correlated with standard heart failure tests.
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