New study on the benefits of exercise for children with single-ventricle heart conditions
A new study in Australia and New Zealand is investigating the benefits of exercise for children with single-ventricle heart conditions.
The research is being conducted by cardiologist Associate Professor Rachael Cordina.
“Emerging research is now suggesting that exercising is even more important than in the general population for people with the most complex types of CHD because it has special effects on the circulation as well as their physical and mental health, and quality of life,” she said.
“Pilot data showed that regular resistance exercise improves their heart output, their exercise capacity – their circulation worked much better.”
Assoc Prof Cordina, with HRI’s Clinical Research Group, is recruiting 400 people for the four-year-study to test the exercise theory, which will be the largest ever randomised control trial in this cohort.