Different Endurance Training Protocols in Cardiac Rehabilitation

Paracelsus Medical University60 enrolled

Overview

It is the aim of the study to compare the effects of 6 weeks of either high-intensity interval training (HIT; carried out at correctly assessed 85-95% of maximal heart rate), pyramid, or continuous endurance training, on changes of physical exercise capacity in cardiac patients. The three exercise arms (isocaloric) are composed as follows: Endurance training (n=15): 31min at 65-75% HRmax; HIT (n=15): 4x4min intervals at 85-95% HRmax divided by 3x3min of active recovery at 60-70% HRmax, making it a total of 25min; Pyramids (n=15): One Pyramid consists of 8 one-minute blocks. Those are grouped starting with one block of 70-75% HRmax, followed by one block at 75-80% HRmax and another one at 80-85% HRmax. The top of the pyramid are 2 blocks of 85-90% HRmax. Intensity is lowered afterwards with one block at 80-85% HRmax, followed by one block at 75-80% HRmax and last one at 70-75% HRmax. Two more pyramids follow, each divided by 2min of active recovery at 65-70% HRmax, making it a total of 28min. All protocols are initiated by 5min of warm-up and end with 5min of cool-down, both at 60-70% HRpeak. Primary Outcome: Individual maximum power output in watt (Pmax). Secondary Outcome: Change of power output in watt at lactate thresholds at 2 and 4 mmol/l.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Coronary Artery Disease

Endurance training with constant work loadOTHER

Endurance training with constant work load(n=15): 31min at 65-75% HRmax

Pyramid-TrainingOTHER

Pyramid-Training (n=15): One Pyramid consists of 8 one-minute blocks. Those are grouped starting with one block of 70-75% HRmax, followed by one block at 75-80% HRmax and another one at 80-85% HRmax. The top of the pyramid are 2 blocks of 85-90% HRmax. Intensity is lowered afterwards with one block at 80-85% HRmax, followed by one block at 75-80% HRmax and last one at 70-75% HRmax. Two more pyramids follow, each divided by 2min of active recovery at 65-70% HRmax, making it a total of 28min.

High-intensity interval trainingOTHER

HIT (n=15): 4x4min intervals at 85-95% HRmax divided by 3x3min of active recovery at 60-70% HRmax, making it a total of 25min

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 25 YearsMax age: 85 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: At least one of the following diagnoses within the previous 3 months: * acute coronary syndrome (STEMI) * acute coronary syndrome (NSTEMI) * aortocoronary bypass surgery * PCI * stable coronary heart disease Exclusion Criteria: * Unstable angina pectoris * Heart failure (NYHA IV) * Acute endomyocarditis or other acute infections * Pulmonary artery embolism or phlebothrombosis within the previous 6 months * Hemodynamically unstable arrhythmia * Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy * participation in another study within the previous 6 months * Medical conditions which prevent patients from complying with the exercise program

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Individual maximum power output in watt (Pmax)

Change of individual maximum power output in watt (Pmax) on a bicycle ergometer after the training intervention of controlled physical activity within 6 weeks

Time frame: 6 weeks

Secondary Outcomes

Power output in watt at lactate threshold of 2 and 4 mmol/l

Change of power output in watt at lactate thresholds at 2 and 4 mmol/l