IJCS | Volume 32, Nº4, July/August 2019

423 Table 1 - Summary from the studies designs and outcomes Author/Year Contry of Study Purpose of the study Study Design Sample Description Intervention Evaluation of Erectile Function Functional capacity Endothelial Function Quality of life Conclusion Belardinelli 2005 25 ITALY To evaluate the effects of physical exercise on sexual dysfunction in individuals with HF RCTs 59 men EG (n = 30) CG (n = 29) EG: Supervised exercise on cycle ergometer, 3x/week, 8 weeks; 60% of the VO 2 peak CG: The volunteers were instructed not to perform any physical activity during the study Men with partners Sexual activity profile questionnaire ↑ EG* Cardiopulmonary test ↑ VO 2 peak = EG*† FMD = ↑ EG* MLHFQ = ↑ EG* In HF, exercise training using cycle ergometer significantly improved endothelial function of the brachial artery, suggesting a systemic effect of leg exercise. This benefit was correlated with improvements in sexual activity. Sties 2014 41 BRAZIL To evaluate the effects of moderate and high-intensity physical training on sexual function and quality of life (QoL) in patients with HF RCTs 20 men MIG (n = 11) HIG (n = 9) MIG: Supervised activity on treadmill, 3x/week, 12 weeks; Aerobic exercise Moderate continuous close to L1. HR target determined by cardiopulmonary test. HIG: Supervised activity on treadmill, 3x/week, 12 weeks; High-intensity interval exercise with the HR being maintained between second L2 threshold / point alternating with the L1 HR. HR target determined by cardiopulmonary test Sexually active men IIEF ↑ HIG* Cardiopulmonary test ↑ VO 2 peak = HIG* FMD MLHFQ = ↑ MIG* ↑ HIG* High-intensity exercise promoted significant benefits in erectile function, desire, sexual satisfaction and peak aerobic power, while in the moderate intensity exercise no changes were found in these outcomes. Improvements in the walked distance in the 6-minute walking test and QoL occurred in both groups, with no differences between them. Sties 2013 26 BRAZIL To determine whether aerobic physical training can improve the sexual function of men with HF Non- randomized Clinical Trial 20 men Supervised physical exercise on treadmill, 3x/week, 12 weeks. Exercise between the anaerobic threshold and the respiratory compensation point, 40 minutes per session Sexually active men IIEF ↑ p = 0,02* Cardiopulmonary test ↑ VO 2 peak* 6MWT ↑ walked distance* NE In stable HF, physical exercise training on treadmill significantly improved VO 2 peak, and walked distance in the 6MWT and sexual function. Subtitle: RCTs: randomized controlled clinical trial; IIEF: International index of erectile function; QOL: quality of life; HF: heart failure; EG: exercise group; CG: control group; MIG: moderate intensity group; HIG: high intensity group; MHFLQ: Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire; 6MWT: Six-minute walking test; L2: respiratory compensation point/ ventilatory threshold; HR: heart rate; L1: respiratory compensation point aerobic threshold; * - significant difference p < 0,05 post-intervention intragroup; † – significant difference p < 0,05 intergroups; FMD: flow-mediated dilatation; NE: non evaluated. Gonzáles et al. Exercise and erectile dysfunction in heart Int J Cardiovasc Sci. 2019;32(4):418-427 Review Article