Hospital-Based and Home-Based Resistance Training in Adult Congenital Heart Disease

Summary

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is defined as functional or anatomical abnormalities of the heart and major intrathoracic vessels present at birth. Impaired responses to exercise in individuals with CHD reduce exercise capacity and increase long-term mortality risk. Today, the growing population of adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) faces chronic issues stemming from congenital abnormalities, along with muscle strength loss and a decline in activities of daily living. Once the planned treatments in this project proposal are implemented and data are obtained (especially if these data support the hypotheses), the treatment protocols applied in this study and their effects will be considered alongside the current treatment plans for individuals with CHD who experience muscle strength loss and disease-related impairment. With new treatment programs, this study aims to reduce disease-related muscle strength loss, improve disease-related outcomes, and enhance quality of life.

Conditions

• Congenital Heart Diseases
• Resistance Training
• Muscle Strength
• Functional Capacity

Interventions

OTHER

Hospital-Based Resistance Training

Participants will undergo resistance training using a weight training station and elastic equipment (elastic bands and tubes). The intensity of the resistance training with the weight training station will be determined based on 1 Repetition Maximum (1RM). Resistance training with the weight training station will be conducted at 30-70% of the 1RM intensity and will include the following exercises: leg extension, pull down, chest press, and pec deck. The intensity of resistance training using elastic equipment will be determined according to the individual's perceived exertion. Resistance training with elastic equipment will be performed at an intensity of 12-14 on the Borg Scale (moderate to somewhat hard) for movements involving hip flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction. The resistance training regimen will consist of 8-12 repetitions, 2-3 sets, with at least 1 minute of rest between sets, twice a week for 12 weeks.

OTHER

Home-Based Resistance Training

Participants will undergo resistance training at home using elastic equipment (elastic bands and tubes). The intensity of the resistance training will be determined based on the individual's perceived exertion. The training will be conducted at an intensity of 12-14 on the Borg Scale (moderate to somewhat hard), with 8-12 repetitions, 2-3 sets, and a rest period of at least 1 minute between sets, twice a week for 12 weeks. Progression in training intensity will be achieved by increasing the weight once the perceived exertion, as measured on the Modified Borg Scale, falls below 3 (moderate) after completing 20 repetitions. Resistance training will include exercises such as leg extension, pull down, chest press, pec deck, and movements involving hip flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction. To ensure individuals perform exercises correctly, follow-up will be conducted through online meetings every two weeks. These meetings will not be recorded.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hacettepe University

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

45 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-01-05

Primary Completion

2025-09-05

Completion

2025-11-05

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations