A characteristic feature of chronic heart failure (CHF) is reduced exercise tolerance. Several
factors contributing to this have been identified, including alterations in central
haemodynamics, skeletal muscle oxygen utilisation and respiratory muscle dysfunction. This
review focuses on abnormalities identified in respiratory muscle structure and function in
CHF and recent evidence for the benefit of selective inspiratory muscle training in CHF.
Included in this review are findings from original investigations, with a specific focus on …