Exercise training in cardiac rehabilitation: Setting the right intensity for optimal benefit

Ahmad Sabbahi; Justin M Canada; Abraham Samuel Babu; Richard Severin; Ross Arena; Cemal Ozemek

doi:10.1016/j.pcad.2022.02.001

Exercise training in cardiac rehabilitation: Setting the right intensity for optimal benefit

Prog Cardiovasc Dis. 2022 Jan-Feb:70:58-65. doi: 10.1016/j.pcad.2022.02.001. Epub 2022 Feb 8.

Authors

Ahmad Sabbahi¹, Justin M Canada², Abraham Samuel Babu³, Richard Severin⁴, Ross Arena⁵, Cemal Ozemek⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; School of Physical Therapy, South College, Knoxville, TN, USA. Electronic address: asabba3@uic.edu.
² VCU Pauley Heart Center, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
³ Department of Physiotherapy, Manipal College of Health Professions, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India.
⁴ Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Physical Therapy, Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA.
⁵ Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.

PMID: 35149002
DOI: 10.1016/j.pcad.2022.02.001

Abstract

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs are recommended standard-of-care by all major cardiovascular medicine professional organizations. Exercise training is the cornerstone for CR, with aerobic training being the primary form of training. The benefits of exercise training are multiple; however, improved cardiorespiratory fitness is of utmost importance. Moderate-intensity continuous training, supplemented with resistance training, has traditionally been the most common form of exercise training in CR. This review discusses the role of aerobic exercise training in CR and the importance of effective and personalized exercise prescription for optimized results. We also focus on the benefits and utility of high-intensity interval training across different clinical populations commonly seen in the CR setting.

Keywords: Cardiac rehabilitation; Cardiovascular disease; Exercise; Exercise intensity; Fitness.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Cardiac Rehabilitation* / methods
Exercise
Exercise Test
Exercise Therapy / methods
High-Intensity Interval Training*
Humans