Effectiveness of resistance training on the improvement of functional capacity and quality of life in heart failure patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of resistance training (RT) on the improvement of functional capacity (FC) and quality of life (QOL) in heart failure (HF) patients. An electronic search was performed in databases (PubMed/Medline, SCOPUS, Web of Science, CINAHL, Lilacs, and Cochrane), without restrictions of language or year of publication, using the following keywords: heart failure, resistance training, exercise tolerance, quality of life, fatigue, dyspnea, and muscle strength. Clinical trials were included, with a sample composed of individuals with HF in the functional classes I, II, or III of the New York Heart Association; with average age