Effects of Different Endurance Training Protocols on Physical Performance in Cardiac Patients
Effects of Different Endurance Training Protocols on Physical Performance in Cardiac Patients
It is the aim of the study to compare the effects of 6 weeks of either high-intensity interval training (HIT; carried out at correctly assessed 85-95% of maximal heart rate), pyramid, or continuous endurance training, on changes of physical exercise capacity in cardiac patients.
The three exercise arms (isocaloric) are composed as follows:
Endurance training (n=15): 31min at 65-75% HRmax; HIT (n=15): 4x4min intervals at 85-95% HRmax divided by 3x3min of active recovery at 60-70% HRmax, making it a total of 25min; Pyramids (n=15): One Pyramid consists of 8 one-minute blocks. Those are grouped starting with one block of 70-75% HRmax, followed by one block at 75-80% HRmax and another one at 80-85% HRmax. The top of the pyramid are 2 blocks of 85-90% HRmax. Intensity is lowered afterwards with one block at 80-85% HRmax, followed by one block at 75-80% HRmax and last one at 70-75% HRmax. Two more pyramids follow, each divided by 2min of active recovery at 65-70% HRmax, making it a total of 28min.
All protocols are initiated by 5min of warm-up and end with 5min of cool-down, both at 60-70% HRpeak.
Primary Outcome: Individual maximum power output in watt (Pmax). Secondary Outcome: Change of power output in watt at lactate thresholds at 2 and 4 mmol/l.
Inclusion Criteria:
At least one of the following diagnoses within the previous 3 months:
Exclusion Criteria: