Respiratory muscle fatigue and functional capacity in heart failure: A randomized study

Abstract

Aim: To compare the effect of inspiratory muscle and expiratory muscle fatigue on the functional capacity in outpatients with systolic heart failure. Method: a randomized, crossover study, controlled, double-blind, focusing on outpatients, from June 2014 to December 2015. Individuals will be allocated to a group that will perform 80% inspiratory and expiratory muscle effort (IME and EME) in terms of maximum airway pressure to induce fatigue, or 0% for the placebo (three sets of 10 repetitions). The order in terms of effort and load will be randomized. Before and after the respiratory muscle effort, capillary lactate testing and a six-minute walk test will be performed. Expected results: Specific training for respiratory muscles can improve the functional capacity and the prognosis of these patients with systolic heart failure.