Background: Upper body strength decreases with age and physical inactivity post-cardiac event. This strength is needed to perform household physical activities (HPA), an important role for women regardless of age. Purpose: This ongoing study examines: 1) the impact of adding progressive upper body strengthening exercise (SE) to usual care (UC) aerobic exercise in women participating in Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) on perceived performance of HPA, and, 2) the relationship between HPA and muscle strength. Design: This 10-week parallel-group experiment randomizes women into UC or SE groups. To date, 12/30 women have completed the study. Weight for 5 upper body exercises is progressively increased in the SE group using 1-Repitition Maximum (1-RM) strength and % change is calculated. Perceived performance of HPA is measured with the Household Activities Scale (HAS). Analysis: Group HPA difference was determined with the Wilcoxan test and correlation between muscle strength and HPA was determined with Spearman’s rho. SE group (n=6) increased muscle strength in all 5 exercises compared to UC group (n=6) (chest press (39% vs. 3%), shoulder press (41% vs. 36%), biceps curl (28% vs. 10%), lateral row (50% vs. 23%) and triceps extension (34% vs. 10%), respectively). Lateral row strength change was significantly correlated with the HAS (r=.737, p=.010). HAS % scores increased in SE group compared to UC group (15% vs.-8%, respectively). Although not statistically significant (Z=-1.662, p=.096), given the small sample, percent improvement in ability to perform HPA is clinically relevant. Beginning progressive strengthening exercise early post cardiac event during CR shows promise as a strengthening benefit for women.
Session #1223 - Graduate Student Poster Session
The 29th Annual MNRS Research Conference (April 1-4, 2005)