Long-term Exercise Adherence After High-intensity Interval Training in Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Randomized Study

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Exercise Physiology
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Exercise adherence post-cardiac rehabilitation is often poor, particularly with vigorous exercise.
• High-intensity interval training (HIT) is a common therapy for coronary artery disease patients in cardiac rehabilitation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate long-term exercise adherence following a high-intensity interval training (HIT) cardiac rehabilitation program.
• To assess the maintenance of cardiorespiratory fitness after HIT-based cardiac rehabilitation.

Main Methods:

• A multicenter randomized study involving adults who completed a 12-week HIT cardiac rehabilitation program (home-based or hospital-based).
• Primary outcome: change in peak oxygen uptake. Secondary outcomes: self-reported and objectively measured physical activity.
• One-year follow-up assessment of 76 participants (68 men/8 women, mean age 59).

Main Results:

• Peak oxygen uptake remained significantly elevated above baseline values at one-year follow-up across all HIT modalities (treadmill, group, home-based).
• No significant differences in peak oxygen uptake were observed between the different HIT groups.
• Over 90% of participants met recommended daily physical activity levels; home-based HIT showed a trend towards higher physical activity.

Conclusions:

• Both home-based and hospital-based HIT in cardiac rehabilitation promote favorable long-term exercise adherence.
• HIT cardiac rehabilitation effectively maintains improved peak oxygen uptake one year post-program.
• HIT is a viable and effective strategy for enhancing long-term exercise adherence and cardiorespiratory fitness in cardiac rehabilitation patients.