Article

Aerobic interval training (IT) seems to be superior to continuous
training (CT) in improving exercise capacity (peak oxygen uptake (VO2)) in
coronary artery disease (CAD) patients in some, but not in all studies. Based on
theoretical calculations, these comparative studies stated that the energy
expenditure (EE) of both programmes is similar. To date, the caloricity of both
programmes has never been objectively measured. Therefore, our aim was to
objectively measure the EE of the IT and CT programmes described in the protocol
of the SAINTEX-CAD study (based on Wisloff et al.; ITw and CTw), and the actually
performed training intensities in the SAINTEX-CAD study by Conraads et al. (ITc
and CTc). METHODS: Following a two-week run-in period with three IT and three CT
training sessions, 18 male CAD patients (mean age 62.4 +/- 6.1 years) performed
four training sessions in random order on the cycle ergometer: an ITw, CTw, ITc
and CTc test session. The EE was assessed by indirect calorimetry using gas
exchange measurements obtained with the Oxycon mobile. RESULTS: We found a higher
EE for CTc compared to ITc (352 +/- 90.8 kcal versus 269 +/- 70.7 kcal; p =
0.026), while CTw and ITw seemed to be isocaloric (317 +/- 85.2 kcal versus 273
+/- 65.3 kcal; p = 0.42). Higher lactate levels were reached after IT sessions
(ITw 5.42 +/- 1.42 mmol/l, ITc 5.05 +/- 1.38 mmol/l) compared to CT sessions (CTw
2.45 +/- 1.04 mmol/l, CTc 3.41 +/- 1.44 mmol/l) (p < 0.01). Lactate levels
increased above baseline levels (1.91 +/- 0.34 mmol/l) except for the CTw
session. CONCLUSION: CTc expended significantly more energy compared to ITc,
showing that the programmes used in the SAINTEX-CAD study were not isocaloric. In
contrast, isocaloricity was met for CTw and ITw.
CI - (c) The European Society of Cardiology 2016.

Langue : ANGLAIS