Knee-extensor Training to Improve Muscle Blood Flow and Endurance in Veterans with HFpEF
Official title: Mechanisms of Impaired Skeletal Muscle Blood Flow and Exercise Intolerance in Veterans with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: Efficacy of Knee Extensor Training
Funded at VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System · NIH-11456781 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at VA Salt Lake City will test whether targeted knee-extensor training can improve leg blood flow and exercise tolerance in veterans with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5IK2RX003670-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11456781 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Veterans with HFpEF experiencing exercise intolerance and reduced leg blood flow who can participate in a structured training program.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without HFpEF or those unable to participate in a training program may not experience benefit.
What this research studies
This research focuses on veterans with HFpEF who experience severe fatigue and limited physical activity due to poor leg blood flow. The plan is to use a knee-extensor training program to see if it can enhance microvascular function and oxygen delivery to leg muscles during exercise. Participants will undergo a supervised training protocol and undergo measurements of blood flow, leg endurance, and functional capacity. The study aims to uncover new approaches to rehabilitation that could help improve daily activities and quality of life for this patient group.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience better leg blood flow and greater ability to perform daily activities and exercise.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies suggest that targeted limb training can improve peripheral blood flow and exercise capacity in similar conditions, but this specific knee-extensor approach in HFpEF veterans is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bunsawat, Kanokwan — VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Bunsawat, Kanokwan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
AI-supported heart failure diagnosis and management in Rwanda
Aiming to help people with suspected heart failure in Rwanda get faster, more accurate diagnoses and better care using AI-guided ultrasound and care protocols.
-
AI-assisted heart failure diagnosis in Rwanda using focused ultrasound
An NIH-funded project will test whether AI-enhanced, easy-to-use heart ultrasound can help non-experts diagnose and manage heart failure in Rwanda.
-
HF endotypes in heart failure using ethical multi-modal AI and molecular data
A patient-friendly project that uses advanced AI and multiple kinds of health data to identify distinct heart failure subtypes that could guide personalized care.
-
Triple gene therapy approach to heal the heart after a heart attack
A new therapy combines three genetic approaches delivered by a virus to help the heart heal after a heart attack.
-
Digital-first heart failure care delivery in Uganda
A targeted program in Uganda tests a digital care plan to help people with heart failure manage their symptoms at home.
-
Digital-first heart failure care delivery in Uganda
A study to test digital self-care tools to help people with heart failure in Uganda manage symptoms and stay healthier.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.