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June 12, 2026European Journal of Preventive CardiologyOpen Access

The rehabilitation program based on box squats with load progression led to a significant improvement mainly in the strength of the SPPB and 6MWT scores (p < 0.05).

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Why the study?

Does a muscle strengthening program with box squats improve physical performance in patients with chronic heart failure undergoing traditional rehabilitation?

Population

22 patients diagnosed with chronic heart failure, clinically stable, independent in daily activities, and…

Comparison

Rehabilitation protocol including aerobic… vs Conventional rehabilitation training alone.

Design

Cohort

Follow-up

From admission to discharge

Authors

PLP LongoniJSJ ShabaniACA Cardone

Discussion

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Overview

Hypothesis-generating for adjunctive strengthening in HF rehab; larger trials needed before practice change.

Key Points

  • To evaluate the effectiveness of a muscle strengthening program as a complement to traditional rehabilitation training in patients with heart failure.
  • 22 patients with chronic heart failure were enrolled in a rehabilitation program.
  • Participants were assessed using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), 6 Minute Walking Test (6MWT), and Handgrip Strength test at admission and discharge.
  • The experimental group followed a rehabilitation protocol including aerobic exercises and muscle strengthening with box squats, utilizing a weighted vest for load progression.
  • The rehabilitation program using box squats significantly improved strength in SPPB and 6MWT scores (exact metrics not provided).
  • A positive trend was observed in exercise tolerance and patient well-being, but specific data was not quantified.

Structured PICO

Does a muscle strengthening program with box squats improve physical performance in patients with chronic heart failure undergoing traditional rehabilitation?

P
Population
22 patients (both sexes) diagnosed with chronic heart failure, clinically stable, independent in daily activities, and already enrolled in a rehabilitation program.
I
Intervention
Rehabilitation protocol including aerobic exercises, calisthenics, and a muscle strengthening program with box squats performed daily (load progression from 0% to 10% of body weight over 6 consecutive days, 5 sets of 5 repetitions).
C
Comparator
Conventional rehabilitation training alone.
O
Outcome
Physical performance assessed by Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), 6 Minute Walking Test (6MWT), and Handgrip Strength test at admission and discharge.surrogate

The integration of multi-joint strength exercises, such as box squats, into traditional rehabilitation programs improves physical performance in patients with chronic heart failure.

Limitations

  • Small sample size
  • Short follow-up

Cite This Study

Longoni et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a2bd1386550ea4541ffe930https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjpc/zwag249.040
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Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1The road to strength: functional progress after rehabilitation2026
  2. 2Comparative effects of different strength training modalities in cardiac rehabilitation: preliminary results2026
  3. 3ACUTE CARDIOVASCULAR RESPONSE TO RESISTANCE TRAINING DURING CARDIAC REHABILITATION: EFFECT OF MUSCLES MASS USED IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEART FAILURE2026
  4. 4Stronger start : dual-mode training boost functional outcome in early phase 2 cardiac rehabilitation after heart valve surgery2026
  5. 5Patient-centered wearable-integrated rehabilitation program for patients with heart failure: a multicenter randomized controlled trial2026