[Application of lactate threshold in the exercise program for patients with coronary heart disease]

This study was conducted 1) to measure the exercise intensity corresponding to lactate threshold (LT) and 2) to clarify the method of prescribing LT level for patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) on the assumption that LT level indicates an optimal exercise intensity for those patients. Three males and 9 females with CHD, aged 57.6 +/- 7.7, participated in this study. Oxygen uptake (VO2), heart rate (HR), and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) at LT and at maximal exercise were measured before (pre), 4 months (mid) and 8 months (post) after exercise conditioning. The intensity of most exercises was maintained at the level of LT. A significant increase was found in VO2LT from pre- to mid-test, and further increase was found from mid- to post-test after matching exercise intensity to the improvement in VO2LT. It is suggested that matching the progression of the absolute exercise intensity with the training-induced improvements of aerobic capacity i.e., maintaining the exercise intensity at LT for a sustained period of time, is a valid procedure for further improvement in aerobic capacity of CHD patients.