Physical Capacity, Respiratory and Peripheral Muscle Strength in Heart Failure

Introduction The Glittre-ADL test is a submaximal test that involves sitting/lifting, stair climbing/descending, and weight-bearing activities, with considerable potential for use in assessing exercise intolerance in heart failure. Objectives To investigate the influence of heart failure on maximal physical (ergometric test - ET) and functional (6MWT and Glittre-ADL test) capacity, on respiratory (IPmax and EPmax) and peripheral (handgrip strength) muscle strength, and to study the correlation between the variables evaluated. Methods A prospective comparative study that assessed 44 subjects divided into two groups: G1, with 26 heart patients (20 men/6 women, 65.26 ± 8.50 years), and G2, with 18 healthy subjects paired with G1 on the basis of sex ratio, age and anthropometric characteristics (10 men/8 women, 60.72 ± 8.39 years). The comparison of categorical variables was performed using the chi-square test, while continuous variables were compared using the Student t test or Mann-Whitney test. The study of the correlation between variables was conducted using the Pearson coefficient for EPmax and handgrip strength, while the Spearman correlation coefficient was used for the others, with a statistical significance level of 5%. Results Groups were homogeneous in terms of sex ratio, age and anthropometric characteristics. G1 had a worse performance in all tests: ET (p = 0.016), Glittre-ADL (p = 0.001), 6MWT (p = 0.001), IPmax (p = 0.012), EPmax (p = 0.007) and handgrip strength (p = 0.036). There was a negative correlation between the Glittre-ADL test and 6MWT, and the Glittre-ADL test and handgrip strength in G1. Conclusion Heart failure resulted in impairment of maximal physical and functional capacity and of respiratory and peripheral muscle strength, with a negative correlation between functional capacity and handgrip strength. Level of evidence II; Prospective comparative study.