The Effects of Kettlebell Exercise Training in Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare, chronic and progressive cardiopulmonary disease characterized by exercise intolerance, worsening quality of life, dyspnea and fatigue symptoms. This study aims to examine the effects of Kettlebell exercise training in PAH patients. 32 patients over 18 years of age, with stable clinical condition, were included in the study and randomized into 2 groups: Kettlebell training group (KEG) and control group (KG). Patients included in KEG were given Kettlebell exercise training 3 days a week for 8 weeks. No intervention other than routine treatment was made to the control group. Functional exercise capacity by using 6-minute walk test (6MWT) accompanied with wearable metabolic system and by using Duke Activity Status Index; activities of daily living (ADL) by using wearable metabolic system; body composition by using bioimpedance analyzer; peripheral muscle strength by using hand dynamometer; fatigue severity by using Fatigue Severity Scale; physical activity level by using International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form; anxiety and depression level by using Hospital Anxiety-Depression Scale; quality of life by using emPHasis-10 and sleep quality by using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were all evaluated at the first and last assessments. After the exercise training program, it has been found that KEG showed statistically significant improvement in functional capacity, dyspnea, muscle mass, peripheral muscle strength, physical activity level, sitting time, depression level, anxiety level, quality of life level, fatigue severity, dyspnea, activity workload, oxygen consumption, metabolic equality and fatigue in 6MWT and activities of daily living compared to KG (p <0.05). As a result, Kettlebell exercise training in PAH patients increases functional exercise capacity, peripheral muscle strength, physical activity level, and reduces depression and anxiety levels, dyspnea level, fatigue severity and sitting time. Kettlebell exercise training is safe and effective in PAH.