Interval and continuous training in patients after acute myocardial infarction

The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of two modifications of aerobic training (interval and continuous) during 12 weeks of a controlled outpatient cardiovascular rehabilitation program on aerobic capacity and performance on the level of ventilatory anaerobic threshold. Thirty-six males were included in our study. They were divided into two subgroups. Group K (EF 54 plus or minus 7.7%, n=18) passed the aerobic phase of the program with continuous workload, in group I (EF 47 plus or minus 12.7%, n=18) interval training was prescribed. The intensity of the training was on the level of ventilatory anaerobic threshold in both groups. The groups did not differ in age. Symptom-limited spiroergometry was provided before and after the rehabilitation program. The rehabilitation program was carried out three times a week for 60 min. Oxygen intake was increased in both groups studied (VO sub(2)ANP was increased in "K" by 13 %, VO sub(2)ANP/kg by about 11 %. VO sub(2)ANP was increased in "I" by 20 %, VO sub(2)ANP/kg by 20 %). The workload on the level of anaerobic threshold improved significantly (WANP was increased by 15 % in "K* and WANP/kg by about 17 % in "K". WANP was increased by about 35 % and WANP/kg by about 37 % in "I"). A statistically significant improvement in aerobic capacity and performance on the level of anaerobic threshold was observed in both groups. Both modifications of aerobic training were well tolerated.