Article

High-intensity interval training has recently emerged as superior to
continuous endurance training in cardiac rehabilitation upon other training
regimes. Individually tailored continuous endurance training and pyramid training
could induce comparable effects on peak work capacity as high intensity interval
training. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized study.
METHODS: Effects of the
following isocaloric cycle ergometer protocols on peak work capacity have been
assessed in patients with coronary artery disease (n = 60) during 6 weeks of
outpatient cardiac rehabilitation, i.e. 18 supervised sessions of exercise
training: (1) continuous endurance training (n = 20): 33 min at 65-85% peak heart
rate; (2) high intensity interval training (n = 20): 4 x 4 min intervals at
85-95% peak heart rate, each followed by 3 min of active recovery at 60-70% peak
heart rate; (3) pyramid training (n = 20): 3 x 8 min of stepwise load increase
and subsequent decrease from 65-95-65% peak heart rate, supplemented by 2 min
recovery at 60-70% peak heart rate between pyramids. All protocols were preceded
by 5 min of warm-up and followed by 5 min cool-down at 60-70% peak heart rate.
RESULTS: Attendance during exercise sessions was 99.2%. There were significant
increases in peak work capacity of comparable magnitude in all three training
groups (begin vs. end: continuous endurance training: 136.0 +/- 49.6 W vs. 163.4
+/- 60.8 W (21.1 +/- 8.5%); high-intensity interval training: 141.0 +/- 60.4 W
vs. 171.1 +/- 69.8 W (22.8 +/- 6.6%); pyramid training: 128.7 +/- 50.6 W vs.
158.5 +/- 57.9 W (24.8 +/- 10.8%); within groups all p < 0.001; between groups, p
= not significant). CONCLUSION: Endurance training protocols assessed in this
study all led to significant increases in peak work capacity of comparable
magnitude. Our findings suggest that these protocols can be used interchangeably,
which will lead to further individualization of exercise prescription and may
therefore result in improved adherence to lifelong behavioural changes.
CI - (c) The European Society of Cardiology 2014.

Langue : ANGLAIS