Review of High-intensity Interval Training in Cardiac Rehabilitation

Abstract

For the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease, comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation is required. This involves optimal medical therapy, education on nutrition and exercise therapy, and smoking cessation. Of these, efficient exercise therapy is a key factor. A highly effective training protocol is therefore warranted, which requires a high rate of compliance. Although moderate-intensity continuous training has been the main training regimen recommended in cardiac rehabilitation guidelines, high-intensity interval training has been reported to be more effective in the clinical and experimental setting from the standpoint of peak oxygen uptake and central and peripheral adaptations. In this review, we illustrate the scientific evidence for highintensity interval training. We then verify this evidence and discuss its significance and the remaining issues.

Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training on Aerobic Capacity in Cardiac Patients: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

“…Although several reviews and meta-analyses of INTERVAL for CAD and CHF were published [14–16], no consensus has been reached about whether INTERVAL produces superior physical, clinical, and functional benefits compared to CONTINUOUS. We are also unware of any systematic reviews that have assessed the effect of INTERVAL among cardiac patients.…”

Effects of high-intensity interval versus continuous exercise training on post-exercise heart rate recovery in coronary heart-disease patients

“…In this context, for many years moderate continuous training (MCT) has been accepted as the gold standard [6]. However, for some time now, different teams have adopted a high-intensity interval training model (HIIT) as the most efficient with respect to objective adaptations of the majority of cardiac rehabilitation programs in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), congestive heart failure (CHF) and metabolic syndrome [7].…”

Investigation of cardiopulmonary exercise testing using a dynamic leg press and comparison with a cycle ergometer

“…As a complement to DLP-based CPET, future work should also focus on assessment of the DLP for cardiopulmonary exercise training. Moderate-intensity continuous training and high-intensity interval training approaches should be investigated [ 30 , 31 ]. Further assessment is also necessary to assess the feasibility and clinical relevance of CPET using the DLP in different patient populations.…”