Introduction: Walking training is a good alternative to the commonly used cycle ergometer training. It is still necessary to develop rehabilitation programs based on walking characterized by a high degree of safety and effectiveness. Aim: Application of continuous walking training as an alternative to interval cycle ergometer training in men after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, using the 6-minute walk test (6-MWT) to determine the initial training load. Material and methods: Forty-four men aged 45 to 76 years, up to 3 months after CABG surgery, were randomly assigned to continuous training on a treadmill (study group) or interval training on a cycle ergometer (control group), performed 6 times per week (12-15 sessions). Participants underwent the treadmill exercise stress test (TEST) and 6-MWT at the begining and after completion of the rehabilitation program. Before and 3 minutes after the 6 th and 12 th training session blood lactate concentration was determined. Results: Energy expenditure in TEST increased from 4.4 to 6.3 MET in the study group and from 5.0 to 6.5 MET in the control group. Distance walked in 6-MWT increased from 420 to 519 m and from 438 to 510 m, respectively. Resting heart rate (HR) and double product (DP) decreased only in the study group as well as systolic blood pressure (SBP), HR and DP at peak exercise load in baseline TEST. Mean energy expenditure during training sessions was 2.6 MET in the study group and 2.8 MET in the control group (NS). Exercise blood lactate concentration did not exceed 2.0 mmol/l in both groups. Conclusions: Both rehabilitation programs were of similar effectiveness and their intensity did not exceed the anaerobic threshold.

Introduction It is unclear whether it is possible to determine the training load on the basis of the 6-minute walk test (6-MWT) in patients after cardiac surgery with low tolerance of physical exercise. Aim Use of the 6-MWT to determine an individual initial training load in walking training on a treadmill in the early phase of cardiac rehabilitation in men after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Material and methods Twenty-two men aged 54 to 74 years, up to 3 months after CABG surgery participated in walking training on a treadmill (12–15 sessions). Patients underwent the initial and final treadmill exercise stress test (TEST) and the 6-MWT. Based on 6-MWT results, the initial training load was prescribed. Before the 6-MWT and 3 minutes after its completion, lactate concentration was determined. Results The 6-MWT distance increased from 420 ±80 m to 519 ±61 m ( p < 0.001), and the energy expenditure from 4.4 ±1.4 MET to 6.3 ±1.3 MET ( p < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between 6-MWT distance and energy expenditure in the TEST before rehabilitation ( r = 0.60, p = 0.005), and after rehabilitation ( r = 0.75, p < 0.001). A negative correlation was found between the baseline 6-MWT distance and distance increment in the final 6-MWT ( r = –0.66, p = 0.002). The 6-MWT did not induce hyperlactatemia. Conclusions The 6-MWT can be used in exercise intensity prescription, especially for determining the individual initial training load, load progression, as well as its correction during follow-up tests.