Effects of comprehensive inspiratory muscle training combined with early elastic resistance exercise on cardiopulmonary function and prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure

Objective To investigate the effects of combined inspiratory muscle training and early elastic resistance exercise on pulmonary function and prognosis in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Methods A prospective study was conducted on 104 CHF patients who were admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of the Air Force Military Medical University from August 2021 to December 2023. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: a combined group (n=52) and a control group (n=52). The control group received early elastic resistance exercise intervention, while the combined group received the same intervention as the control group in addition to combined inspiratory muscle training. Their heart and lung functions left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), peak oxygen consumption (VO₂ peak), anaerobic threshold oxygen consumption (VO₂ at), and the carbon dioxide equivalent slope (VE/VCO₂ slope), inspiratory muscle function maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), and peak inspiratory flow (PIF), respiratory function and exercise endurance Borg Dyspnea Scale, and 6-minute walk test (6MWT), quality of life Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) score, and adverse cardiovascular events within 6 months post-treatment were recorded. Results After intervention, the combined group showed significant increases in LVEF, VO₂ peak, VO₂ at, MIP, PIF, and 6MWT distance (P<0.05) compared with the control group. The combined group also presented decreases in VE/VCO₂ slope (P<0.05), and decreases in Borg score, MLHFQ score, and incidence of adverse cardiovascular events (P<0.05). Conclusions Combined inspiratory muscle training and early elastic resistance exercise intervention in CHF patients can improve heart and lung functions, respiratory function, inspiratory muscle strength, and exercise endurance. It also enhances quality of life and reduces the incidence of adverse cardiovascular events, making it worthy of clinical promotion.