Abstract
Background: Exercise Training is beneficial in heart failure patients, while training opportunities are limited. Pedelecs represent a novel training possibility for these patients, while safety and efficacy of pedelec training in heart failure is unknown. Therefore, we conducted a pilot study to address these issues. The study “HI-Herz.BIKE Saar” (August 2017 - September 2019) examined the health benefits and training effects of e-bikes (pedelecs) in patients from ambulatory heart groups with moderate chronic heart failure (CHI). Methods: Ten subjects with a strictly defined NYHA stage II-III heart failure and a LVEF of ?50% were selected. The presented clinical study is explicitly marked as a pilot study, as a new, so far not tested technique was used for exercise control. When selecting the heart failure patients defined in this way, a higher number of subjects could not be reached at only one study center. Participants cycled once weekly for 60-150 min and 20-50 km with a follow-up of 2 years as detailed in the Methods section. The new HeartGo® system used here for the first time allows heart rate- controlled training on a special pedelec via a smartphone app. The groups were accompanied during the training rides by a doctor and a paramedic. The training units were increased in duration, distance, and target frequency every six months. Frequency behavior, pedaling and motor load on the pedelec as well as clinical data such as ejection fraction, a biomarker (NT-pro BNP), risk factors, arterial blood pressure, and ergometric tests were measured.
Highlights
Secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease such as heart failure includes regular physical activity with endurance and strength training, which is used for this purpose with high prevalence [1,2]
The presented clinical study is explicitly marked as a pilot study, as a new, so far not tested technique was used for exercise control
When selecting the heart failure patients defined in this way, a higher number of subjects could not be reached at only one study center
Summary
Secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease such as heart failure includes regular physical activity with endurance and strength training, which is used for this purpose with high prevalence [1,2]. A moderate training of 5x30 min or 150 min/week as an effective training goal is aimed at, but often not achieved in heart groups. Numerous studies have shown that cycling improves endurance, coordination, flexibility, and strength; at the same time, the body weight is not carried, so that this sport is used very well in the case of overweight and is advantageous for heart patients [2,3]. The recommendations were reserved, since patients with heart failure are usually older participants and because of possible cardiac incidents or accidents, it is assumed that cycling training is dangerous. The study “HI-Herz.BIKE Saar” (August 2017 - September 2019) examined the health benefits and training effects of e-bikes (pedelecs) in patients from ambulatory heart groups with moderate chronic heart failure (CHI)
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