Study of Physical Exercise Effects After Atrial Fibrillation Ablation on Heart Health, Fitness, Activity, and Quality of Life

What this Trial Is About

Atrial fibrillation AF is a common irregular and often fast heart rhythm affecting adults worldwide, with increasing incidence and prevalence. It is linked to higher health risks and other conditions like hypertension and diabetes, impacting patients and healthcare systems. The European Society of Cardiology recommends an integrated care model that includes catheter ablation to manage symptoms and physical activity to improve health, but the effects of exercise after ablation are not well established. This randomized controlled trial aims to study how a 12-week physical exercise program influences patients who underwent catheter ablation for AF at least one year ago. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an exercise group, which will do concurrent strength and aerobic training three times a week with progressively increasing duration and intensity, or a control group receiving usual care without intervention. The exercise sessions include warm-up, resistance training with free weights, aerobic training on a cycle ergometer, and cool-down stretches. Participants will be evaluated three times before the intervention, after three months of training, and six months after recruitment to assess lasting effects. Assessments include body composition, ECG, echocardiogram, physical activity monitoring, sleep analysis, muscle strength, cardiorespiratory capacity, quality of life, and AF burden. Attendance at exercise sessions will be recorded to monitor adherence, and safety insurance covers potential risks during training and evaluations.

Concurrent Training in Patients Undergoing Atrial Fibrillation Ablation.