The Effect of High Intensity Interval Training and Common Continuous Training on Health-Related Quality of Life in Cardiac Patients with POST-CABG

Quality of life decreases in cardiac patients and there is little information about the effect of interval training on this matter. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare an eight week of high intensity interval training with a common continuous training on health-related quality of life in cardiac patients with post-coronary artery bypass graft. In this clinical trial, 30 cardiac patients in Tehran Heart Center whom CABG surgery was done on, were randomly divided into two groups: high-intensity interval training and continuous moderate-intensity training (program common). The program of interval group included 4rep × 4 min at 90-95% HRpeak and continuous group 60-80 minute at 70-85% HRpeak. The program continued three sessions per week for 8 weeks. Life quality was assessed based on the SF-36 questionnaire before and after the training program. The collected data were analyzed using the one way ANOVA and post hoc LSD tests. Physical function, social function, mental health and vitality were significantly increased following both training programs (p<0.05). Physical function and social function after high-intensity interval training was more than moderate intensity continuous training (p<0.05). There were no significant differences between two groups in general health and role physical (p>0.05) It seems that not only does high-intensity interval training program not threaten cardiac patients with post-coronary artery bypass graft surgery, it is also, more beneficial than moderate intensity continuous training in some parameters of life quality such as physical and social functions. Key words: Exercise, Quality of Life, Cardiac Patients, Post-coronary Artery Bypass Graft