Article

Exercise capacity strongly predicts survival and aerobic interval
training (AIT) increases peak oxygen uptake effectively in cardiac patients.
Usual care in Norway provides exercise training at the hospitals following
myocardial infarction (MI), but the effect and actual intensity of these
rehabilitation programmes are unknown. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial.
SETTING: Hospital cardiac rehabilitation. SUBJECTS:
One hundred and seven
patients, recruited two to 12 weeks after MI, were randomized to usual care
rehabilitation or treadmill AIT. INTERVENTIONS: Usual care aerobic group exercise
training or treadmill AIT as 4 x 4 minutes intervals at 85-95% of peak heart
rate. Twice weekly exercise training for 12 weeks. MAIN MEASURES: The primary
outcome measure was peak oxygen uptake. Secondary outcome measures were
endothelial function, blood markers of cardiovascular disease, quality of life,
resting heart rate, and heart rate recovery. RESULTS: Eighty-nine patients (74
men, 15 women, 57.4 +/- 9.5 years) completed the programme. Peak oxygen uptake
increased more (P = 0.002) after AIT (from 31.6 +/- 5.8 to 36.2 +/- 8.6
mL.kg(-1).min(-1), P < 0.001) than after usual care rehabilitation (from 32.2 +/-
6.7 to 34.7 +/- 7.9 mL.kg(-1).min(-1), P < 0.001).
The AIT group exercised with
significantly higher intensity in the intervals compared to the highest intensity
in the usual care group (87.3 +/- 3.9% versus 78.7 +/- 7.2% of peak heart rate,
respectively, P < 0.001). Both programmes increased endothelial function, serum
adiponectin, and quality of life, and reduced serum ferritin and resting heart
rate. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased only after AIT. CONCLUSIONS:
AIT increased peak oxygen uptake more than the usual care rehabilitation provided
to MI patients by Norwegian hospitals.

Langue : ANGLAIS