[Improved aerobic exercise performance after short-term training of patients with coronary disease]

Maximal oxygen consumption was measured during treadmill exercise in 44 patients with coronary artery disease. Exercise was performed before and after a 4-week course of training. Patients with a previous myocardial infarction and no angina pectoris (n = 27) increased their maximal oxygen consumption by 16% after training. There was no such increase in patients with angina pectoris (n = 17). The subjective feeling of wellbeing after training was the same in both groups of patients. Thus, the advantages of short term training can be both of a symptomatic character and a real improvement in cardiovascular function.