Neuromuscular Versus Resistance Training on Functional Capacity in Patients With Heart Failure.

Heart failure is a chronic and progressive condition associated with reduced functional capacity, impaired cardiorespiratory fitness, and decreased lower limb performance, significantly affecting quality of life. Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation is an established intervention; however, the comparative effectiveness of different exercise modalities, particularly neuromuscular training and resistance training, remains insufficiently explored.

This study is a single-blinded randomized controlled trial designed to compare the effects of neuromuscular training and resistance training on functional capacity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and lower limb performance in patients with chronic heart failure. A total of 40 participants meeting the inclusion criteria will be recruited from tertiary care hospitals and cardiac rehabilitation centers. After baseline assessment, participants will be randomly allocated into two groups using a concealed allocation method.

Both groups will undergo a supervised 10-week intervention program consisting of 20 sessions (2 sessions per week). Each session will include warm-up, 20 minutes of specific training, 20 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, and cool-down. The resistance training group will perform exercises targeting major muscle groups at moderate intensity (50-70% of one-repetition maximum), while the neuromuscular training group will focus on balance, coordination, proprioception, and motor control using structured functional exercises.

Primary outcome measures will include cardiorespiratory fitness (VO₂ peak assessed via Chester Step Test), functional capacity (6-Minute Walk Test), and lower limb performance (Short Physical Performance Battery). Secondary outcomes will include resting heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, perceived exertion (Borg CR-10), and quality of life measured using the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ).

Assessments will be conducted at baseline and after completion of the intervention by a blinded assessor to minimize bias. Data will be analyzed using appropriate statistical methods to compare within-group and between-group differences.

This study aims to generate evidence on the comparative effectiveness of neuromuscular and resistance training, which may help in optimizing cardiac rehabilitation protocols and improving clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure.

Inclusion criteria

• Male and female patients aged 40-60 years
• Diagnosed with chronic heart failure ≥ 1 year
• Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), EF ≤ 40%
• NYHA Class II-III
• Low to moderate exercise risk (based on Chester Step Test)
• On stable pharmacological treatment for ≥ 6 weeks
• Able to understand and follow exercise instructions

Exclusion criteria

• Absolute contraindications to exercise (e.g., recent MI, unstable angina, uncontrolled arrhythmias, severe aortic stenosis, decompensated HF)
• Abnormal CPET findings (severe arrhythmias, ischemia, ST depression)
• Abnormal blood pressure response during exercise
• Exercise-induced angina or thoracic pain
• Musculoskeletal, neurological, or cognitive impairments limiting exercise participation