Table 1.

Anthropometric characteristics, variables measured under maximum load, and isometric peak torque of the dominant leg

Variables	Chronic heart failure mean ± 90% CI	Healthy controls mean ± 90% CI	x-fold-SWD mean ± 90% CI	Indicator
Age [years]	62 ± 4	59 ± 3	1.7 ± 3.0	u
Height [cm]	178.4 ± 4.4	180.6 ± 4.6	−1.2 ± 2.9	u
Mass [kg]	87.8 ± 6.1	90.7 ± 5.9	−1.2 ± 3.6	u
BMI [kg/m2]	27.7 ± 1.8	27.7 ± 1.3	−0.1 ± 3.6	u
Fat [%]	27.6 ± 1.7	25.1 ± 1.7	3.5 ± 3.5	**
Fat-free mass [kg]	63.6 ± 3.7	67.8 ± 4.0	−2.7 ± 3.5	**
Skinfold thickness – M. vastus lateralis [mm]	9 ± 2	6 ± 1	4.8 ± 3.2	**
Skinfold thickness – M. biceps brachii [mm]	7 ± 1	6 ± 2	0.8 ± 1.9	u
Pmax [W]	96 ± 17	201 ± 23	− 12.8 ± 3.1	****
VO2rest [l/min]	0.5 ± 0.1	0.6 ± 0.1	−2.3 ± 3.2	u
VO2max [l/min]	1.3 ± 0.2	2.5 ± 0.2	− 13.6 ± 3.1	****
VO2max [ml/kg/min]	15.6 ± 3.0	28.0 ± 2.1	− 11.7 ± 3.7	****
HRmax [1/min]	133 ± 8	156 ± 12	−5.5 ± 4.0	***
RERmax [VCO2/VO2]	1.12 ± 0.06	1.26 ± 0.04	−6.7 ± 3.0	***
Lactatemax [mmol/l]	4.4 ± 1.3	8.0 ± 1.6	−6.0 ± 2.1	***
RPEmax [6–20]	19 ± 1	20 ± 0	− 2.3 ± 2.6	**
Peak torque [Nm]	111 ± 21	173 ± 44	−4.4 ± 3.1	***

Abbreviations: CI Confidence interval, SWD Smallest worthwhile difference, BMI Body mass index, M. Musculus, P_max Maximum power, VO_2rest Oxygen uptake at rest, VO_2max Maximum oxygen uptake, HR_max Maximum heart rate, RER_max Maximum respiratory exchange ratio, RPE_max Maximum rating of perceived exertion

Note: Means and 90% CI of both groups and x-fold-SWD are shown. The probabilities that the effects are likely (75 to < 95%), very likely (95 to < 99%), and most likely (≥99%) higher or lower than the SWDs are indicated by the asterisks **, ***, and ****, respectively. If the probabilities that the effects are both higher and lower than the SWDs are of ≥5%, they are unclear as indicated by the letter u