[Effects of an interdisciplinary program combining aerobic interval training and dynamic strength in acute coronary syndrome]

Abstract

Introduction and objectives: Cardiac rehabilitation has the highest level of recognition in medical guideline references, however there are still little-explored training modalities. We study the effects of an interdisciplinary program after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in phase II secondary prevention.

Methods: Between January 2008 and December 2018, 439 patients with stable ischemic heart disease and preserved systolic function were included, as maximum 2 month after the ACS. A combined aerobic resistance training program in a variable continuous method and muscle toning with overload and/or ballast was applied, in addition to nutritional counseling and psychological-educational therapy for 12 weeks.

Results: 378 patients finished. The functional capacity increases in the incremental stress test (1.76 METS; CI 95%: 1.59-1.96, p < 0.001) and in the six minutes walking test (32.58 m; CI 95%: 29.24-35.92, p < 0.001). Leisure physical activity in IPAQ increased (763.27 min/week; CI 95%: 583.31-943.16, p < 0.001) and the time sitting during the week decreased (-28.85 min/day; CI 95%: -43.94 to -13.77, p < 0.001). Also, eating habits improved in PREDIMED (2.58 units; CI 95%: 1.43-3.73, p < 0.001), decreased body weight (-0.88 kg; CI 95%: -1.26 to -0.49, p < 0.001), the abdominal perimeter (1.57 cm; CI 95%: 2.23-0.90, p < 0.001) and adipose tissue (-0.80%; CI 95%: -1.10 to -0.51, p < 0.001).

Conclusions: An interdisciplinary program with high intensity variable continuous training combined with dynamic muscle toning increases functional capacity, the level of physical activity, improves body composition and eating habits in ACS patients.

Keywords: Acute coronary syndrome; Cardiac rehabilitation; Entrenamiento continuo variable; Muscle toning; Rehabilitación cardíaca; Síndrome coronario agudo; Tonificación muscular; Variable continuous training.