Comparison of eight weeks effects HIIT and MICT on VO2 peak and LVEFof heart patients after coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Peak oxygen uptake(VO2peak) is a strong predictor of survival in cardiac patients. LVEF is reflection of the functional capacity of the heart. The aims of this study were to compare the effects of high intensity interval training(HIIT) to moderate intensity continuous training(MICT) on VO2peak and LVEF of heart patients after coronary artery bypass graft surgery(POST CABG).

Twenty-four POST CABG patients(15men and 9women) with an average age of 60.75±3.16 years and average body mass index(BMI) of 28.40±1.09 kg/m2 were randomly divided into three groups, HIIT, MICT and control group(CG). The training groups, Exercised for 8weeks, 3sessions per week and 45min per session. One-way ANOVA and post-hoc bonferroni test were used for statistical analysis.

Both HIIT and MICT groups showed significant improvement in VO2peak after eight weeks of CR program(p < 0.05), and improvement in VO2peak in the HIIT group was significantly greater than the improvement in the MICT group(P=0.011). Patients' LVEF did not significant change after eight weeks of CR program in either groups HIIT and MICT(P>0.05), also was not observed significant difference between the two groups(P=1.000).

According to the results of this study, HIIT is more effective than MICT for improving VO2peak in POST CABG patients, and despite the high intensity of HIIT, its use in the CR programs of these patients can be safe. These results can help sports medicine professionals choose the optimal style and intensity of CR exercise and thus improve the exercise capacity and quality of life of heart patients.