This is a randomized controlled trial which will include approximately 50 heart transplant recipients 1-8 years after heart transplantation. The intervention and follow up period is 1 year. The primary purpose is to investigate if systematic, high intensity, interval-based aerobic exercise training results in a greater improvement of exercise capacity (measured by VO2peak) than previously shown in heart transplant recipients.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
51
High intensity interval-based aerobic exercise training. Duration: 1 year. Three 8-weeks supervised periods of physical training 3 times per week. Individual training 2 times per week between these periods.
Department of Cardiology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet
Oslo, Norway
Peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak)
Time frame: Before and after the intervention period of 1 year
Isokinetic muscle strength of quadriceps and hamstrings
Time frame: Before and after the intervention period of 1 year
Quality of life measured by questionnaires
Time frame: Before and after the intervention period of 1 year
Myocardial function measured by echocardiography
Time frame: Before and after the intervention period of 1 year
Progression on coronary atherosclerosis measured by intra vascular ultrasound (IVUS)
Time frame: Before and after the intervention period of 1 year
Vascular tone and compliance measured by tonometry
Time frame: Before and after the intervention period of 1 year
Regular blood screening, lipid profile, inflammatory status, nerve growth factor, biochemical markers for endothelial function, prothrombotic factor, factors connected to vascularization: NT-proBNP and gene expression analysis.
Time frame: Before and after the intervention period of 1 year
Analysis of isolated muscle cells from myocardial biopsy
Time frame: Before and after the intervention period of 1 year
Reinnervation as judged by autonomic nervous control (Heart Rate Variability)
Time frame: Before and after the intervention period of 1 year
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