[The effect of long-term physical training on asymptomatic patients with myocardial infarction]

To examine the long-term effect of intense physical training on exercise capacity of patients with myocardial infarction(MI), multiphasic treadmill stress test(MTST) with modified Bruce protocol was performed repeatedly in 10 patients with training(Ex) and in 6 without training(C). In C, heart rate(HR), systolic blood pressure(SBP), or pressure rate product (PRP: HR X SBP/10(-2)) at any stage of MTST was unchanged for 3 years after MI. In Ex, these indices were unchanged at rest, but at stage 4 of MTST decreased significantly as follows: HR 119 +/- 20.4 to 108.6 +/- 16.0/min(p less than 0.05), SBP 151.6 +/- 24.0 to 137.0 +/- 17.5 mmHg(p less than 0.05), PRP 181.9 +/- 49.5 to 153.3 +/- 29.7(p less than 0.05). These indices at maximal exercise increased significantly after one year of training. One year of training in asymptomatic patients with MI reduced of myocardial oxygen consumption index during exercise at given work rate and increased maximal exercise capacity. With continued training these beneficial effects can be maintained for additional 2 years.