Interval versus continuous exercise training after coronary bypass surgery: A comparison of training‐induced acute reactions with respect to the effectiveness of the exercise methods

Abstract

Summary: In order to improve endurance by exercise on a bicycle ergometer, both the interval method (I) (exertion and recovery phases alternate each minute) and the continuous method (constant exertion) can be employed. We examined the effects of both methods on the following parameters: heart rate, blood pressure, rate-pressure product, glucose, lactate, and catecholamine levels, and physical performance. Two groups of nine male patients were trained daily on a bicycle ergometer for 3.5 weeks. These patients had undergone coronary bypass surgery 24 and/or 26 days before the training started. The training heart rate was set at 86% of the individual maximum heart rate. In the last week of training, the exercise intensity in both patient groups, following either I or C regimen, was 20: 121 W and 83 W respectively. The exercise training lasted 20 minutes with the following findings: ( I ) there were no significant differences in blood pressure, ratepressure product, rates of glucose and catecholamines. and (2) there was a significantly higher rate of lactate in the second ten minutes of the I training. Before and after the training period, the patients were subjected to a multistage bicycle ergometer exercise test (sitting). The following results obtained after the training favor the I method: ( I ) patients' physical performance increased ( +0.63 vs. +0.26 W/kg; p<O.OOl); (2) heart rate was lower at rest (-9 vs. -4 beatdmin; p<0.04) and at 75 W (-12 vs. -2 beatdmin; p <0.02); (3) rate-pressure product was (5) catecholamines were not lowered by I or C training, and no differences between the two groups could be observed. Exercise training according to the I method involves both the aerobic and anaerobic capacity of the organism, whereas exercise training according to the C method involves only oxidative capacity. After coronary bypass surgery, the I method is better suited to increase physical performance and is more effective in economizing the cardiac function.

High-intensity interval training in patients with coronary heart disease: Prescription models and perspectives

“…Other medium to long HIIT protocols have been employed in the literature previously with length stages from 1 to 4 min (80% to 145% PPO) and involved mainly low-intensity active recovery (10% PPO to 70% HRmax) [27][28][29][30][31][32][33] with a close work/recovery ratio (see review [23] for details). Although as effective or even superior to CAET (see the Section 3.1), these HIIT protocols may have some limitations and most importantly were chosen arbitrarily [22,34].…”

Global Metabolic Stress of Isoeffort Continuous and High Intensity Interval Aerobic Exercise: A Comparative 1H NMR Metabonomic Study

“…Increased catecholamines and sympathoadrenal drive during moderate to high-intensity exercise may stimulate muscle glycogen utilization 42 contributing to elevated pyruvate and lactate and increase plasma glucose through enhanced hepatic glucose production 43 and/or inhibition of insulin secretion and reduction in peripheral glucose uptake 38,42 . Meyer et al showed that when exercising at similar HR and RPE, continuous and interval exercise protocols result to similar average glucose, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine levels 30 . Another possible explanation for the similar increase in indicators of glycolysis may be related to changes in energy fuels during work to recovery transitions in HIIE 44 .…”

Effects of acute and chronic low-volume high-intensity interval exercise on cardiovascular health in patients with coronary artery disease

“…A shorter duration program, commonly referred to as low-volume, interval exercise prescription would be beneficial if it was capable of eliciting comparable cardiovascular adaptations as the current exercise prescription of END. Meyer et al (1990) demonstrated superior reductions in resting heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and rate-pressure product following 3.5 weeks of low-volume interval exercise training in patients with CAD, compared to an END training program matched for duration. Total work was higher in the END group, which suggests the interval stimulus was capable of eliciting favorable improvements in cardiovascular function despite involving less work.…”