| Consider |
| Positioning |
| Bed mobility activities |
| Sitting on edge of bed, in association with exercises |
| Transfers from bed to stretcher-chair, chair or commode |
| Gait, with pre-gait activities: weight shifting, stepping in place and sideways |
| Gait training is allowed with rolling walker |
| Breathlessness management and recovery strategies |
| Attempt to achieve a target of 11 to 14 out of 20 of the RPE scale |
| Patient’s native heart rate should not exceed 120 beats per minute. during exercise |
| Promote |
| Low-to-moderate intensity dynamic large muscle group work (e.g. walking, stationary cycling), or involving upper body muscles. |
| ‘Walk & talk’ approach is suggested. |
| Limit |
| Knee lifts |
| Resistance training (low weight/high repetitions) and with seated exercise (reduced venous return) |
| Avoid |
| Excessive muscle fatigue |
| Abrupt postural changes and stooped activities |
| Rowing machine |
| Initially, biking due to increased risk of infection near ventricular assist device percutaneous line exit site |