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A Real-World High-Intensity Interval Training Protocol for Cardiorespiratory Fitness Improvement
Published on: February 22, 2022
[Effects of an interdisciplinary program combining aerobic interval training and dynamic strength in acute coronary
E Arias Labrador1, J Vilaró Casamitjana2, S Blanco Díaz3
1Unitat de Rehabilitació Cardíaca Institut d'Assistència Sanitària. Hospital Santa Caterina, Salt, España; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Girona, Salt, España.
Insights
This study shows that an interdisciplinary program significantly improves functional capacity and physical activity levels in patients recovering from acute coronary syndrome (ACS). It also enhances body composition and dietary habits for better secondary prevention.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Sports Medicine
- Rehabilitation
Background:
- Cardiac rehabilitation is crucial for secondary prevention after acute coronary syndrome (ACS).
- While guidelines recognize cardiac rehabilitation, novel training modalities remain under-explored.
- This study investigates an interdisciplinary program for phase II secondary prevention post-ACS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of a comprehensive interdisciplinary program on patients following acute coronary syndrome (ACS).
- To assess improvements in functional capacity, physical activity, body composition, and eating habits.
Main Methods:
- A 12-week interdisciplinary program involving combined aerobic resistance training, muscle toning, nutritional counseling, and psychological-educational therapy.
- Included 439 patients with stable ischemic heart disease and preserved systolic function, up to 2 months post-ACS.
- 378 patients completed the program.
Main Results:
- Significant increases in functional capacity (1.76 METS) and 6-minute walking test distance (32.58 m).
- Elevated leisure physical activity (763.27 min/week) and reduced sedentary time (-28.85 min/day).
- Improved eating habits, decreased body weight (-0.88 kg), reduced abdominal perimeter (-1.57 cm), and lower adipose tissue (-0.80%).
Conclusions:
- An interdisciplinary program combining high-intensity variable continuous training and dynamic muscle toning is effective.
- This approach enhances functional capacity, physical activity, body composition, and eating habits in ACS patients.
- The program serves as a valuable tool for phase II secondary prevention in cardiac patients.
Introduction And Objectives:
Cardiac rehabilitation has the highest level of recognition in medical guideline references, however there are still little-explored training modalities. We study the effects of an interdisciplinary program after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in phase II secondary prevention.
Methods:
Between January 2008 and December 2018, 439 patients with stable ischemic heart disease and preserved systolic function were included, as maximum 2 month after the ACS. A combined aerobic resistance training program in a variable continuous method and muscle toning with overload and/or ballast was applied, in addition to nutritional counseling and psychological-educational therapy for 12 weeks.
Results:
378 patients finished. The functional capacity increases in the incremental stress test (1.76 METS; CI 95%: 1.59-1.96, p < 0.001) and in the six minutes walking test (32.58 m; CI 95%: 29.24-35.92, p < 0.001). Leisure physical activity in IPAQ increased (763.27 min/week; CI 95%: 583.31-943.16, p < 0.001) and the time sitting during the week decreased (-28.85 min/day; CI 95%: -43.94 to -13.77, p < 0.001). Also, eating habits improved in PREDIMED (2.58 units; CI 95%: 1.43-3.73, p < 0.001), decreased body weight (-0.88 kg; CI 95%: -1.26 to -0.49, p < 0.001), the abdominal perimeter (1.57 cm; CI 95%: 2.23-0.90, p < 0.001) and adipose tissue (-0.80%; CI 95%: -1.10 to -0.51, p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
An interdisciplinary program with high intensity variable continuous training combined with dynamic muscle toning increases functional capacity, the level of physical activity, improves body composition and eating habits in ACS patients.
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