Progressive Resistance Training Improves Perceived Performance of Household Physical Activities Among Women Attending Cardiac Rehabilitation

Abstract

Background Women often feel guilt after a cardiac event if they are unable to resume their household physical activities. Upper body muscle strength, necessary for these activities decreases not only as a natural aging process but also with physical inactivity post cardiac event. Purpose This ongoing study examines the impact of progressive upper body resistance training with free weights on muscle strength and perceived ability to perform household physical activities among women who participate in Phase II (Outpatient) Cardiac Rehabilitation. Methods This 10-week randomized parallel-group experiment consists of usual care (UC) aerobic exercise or aerobic exercise/resistance training exercise (RTE) groups. Muscle strength for 5 upper body resistance exercises (chest press, shoulder press, biceps curl, lateral row and triceps extension) is measured using the 1-Repetition Maximum Assessment (1-RM). The RTE progressively increased weight lifted based on 40%, 50% and 60% of obtained 1-RM assessment. Perceived performance of household physical activities was measured with the Household Activities Scale (HAS). The percent change in muscle strength between groups was calculated for each exercise. The HAS score is the percent of activities performed without difficulty out of the total number of household physical activities performed. The Wilcoxan test was used to determine between group differences for the HAS and Spearman's rho was used to determine correlation between muscle strength and HAS. Results The RTE group (n = 5) increased in muscle strength in all five exercises compared to the UC group (n = 5) including chest press (34% vs. 5%), shoulder press (40% vs. 39%), biceps curl (27% vs. 14%), lateral row (44% vs. 33%) and triceps extension (33% vs. 14%), respectively. Muscle strength difference in the lateral row was significantly correlated with the HAS (r = .759, p = .02). HAS percentage scores increased in the RTE group compared to the UC group (13% vs. −2%, respectively) although was not statistically significant (Z = 14.5, p = .176). Conclusions Progressive upper body resistance training with free weights shows promise in increasing muscle strength and improving women's ability to perform household physical activities post cardiac event. For this sample, difference in HAS scores was not significant, but the percent improvement in ability to perform household activities is clinically relevant. Beginning resistance training early after cardiac event in a monitored environment like CR can maximize the strengthening benefit for women.