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New research from Melbourne’s Swinburne University of Technology has found that resistance training benefits patients after heart surgery.

The study revealed that patients who undertake early resistance training recover quicker - within three months after surgery - than those who don’t.

Advising that there is an increasing body of evidence promoting more active post operative recovery programs, PhD student and Accredited Exercise Physiologist Jacqueline Pengelly found that heart surgery patients could begin their road to fitness recovery much earlier than previously thought.

Her research shows that upper-body resistance training can commence - and be beneficial - just two weeks after an operation.

Commencing just a fortnight after heart surgery, Pengelly says the program included 12 weeks of resistance training, performed using both limbs simultaneously, commenting “patients are often told to avoid or limit use of their arms and undertake walking, meaning they’re unable to perform or resume their daily or recreational activities, which can be a cause of frustration and feelings of loss of identity.

“Patients in the resistance training program reported feeling stronger and were motivated to keep trying to increase their workload. Because they were supervised, and their safety and recovery monitored, they gained the knowledge and confidence needed to recommence the activities they enjoy safer and earlier than minimal activity rehab programs. 

“Mild cognitive impairment can affect up to 80% of patients for months, or even years, leading to loss of independence and delayed recovery. Our study has shown that patients who undertake early

Patients were closely monitored throughout the study and were only prescribed exercise within their physical ability. 

Adding that there is an increasing body of evidence promoting more active recovery programs, as opposed to passive, Pengelly noted “it allows patients to become independent earlier in their recovery process, relying less on family/carers, which has a positive impact on both their physical and mental health.” 

Pengelly now wants to conduct a larger study with more surgery and resistance training intervention using a range of resistance equipment, going on to stated “this would mean that resistance training is more accessible to patients and give exercise physiologists and physiotherapists the confidence to replicate the training within their own cardiac rehabilitation programs. 

“Exercise is medicine - exercise physiologists need to carefully select outcome measures that are appropriate to the patient’s ability and use this information to prescribe exercises and exercise intensities that are appropriate. It’s time for change, so let’s get moving.” 

Pengelly expressed her gratitude to her research team, and the patients and cardiothoracic staff at the Royal Melbourne and Melbourne Private Hospitals, whose willingness to participate in the project, made these discoveries possible. 

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