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. 2025 Apr 22;5(3):oeaf036.
doi: 10.1093/ehjopen/oeaf036. eCollection 2025 May.

An innovative cardiac rehabilitation based on the power-force-velocity profile to further improve cardiorespiratory capacities in coronary artery disease patients: CITIUS study

Marie Fanget  1 , Pierre Labeix  1 , Jean-Benoit Morin  2 , Manon Bayle  1 , Jerome Koral  3 , Rodolphe Testa  4 , Nicolas Peyrot  5 , Vincent Gremeaux  6   7 , Marie-Christine Iliou  8 , Thierry Busso  2 , Jari Antero Laukkanen  9   10 , Frederic Roche  1 , David Hupin  1
Affiliations

An innovative cardiac rehabilitation based on the power-force-velocity profile to further improve cardiorespiratory capacities in coronary artery disease patients: CITIUS study

Marie Fanget et al. Eur Heart J Open. .

Abstract

Aims: Individually optimizing the training programme of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) remains a major concern among coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. The power-force-velocity profile (PFVP) for a given task is usually assessed to improve performance in athletes through individualized training. Therefore, assessing PFVP on stationary cycle ergometer may allow better personalization of CR programme. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of a new CR customized based on patient's PFVP vs. a traditional CR in CAD patients on cardiorespiratory, biological, and muscular systems.

Methods and results: A total of 86 patients participated in this study. The 3-week intervention consisted of physical training sessions (4/week) and therapeutic education workshops (1/week). Experimental group patients followed a specific cycle ergometer training programme focusing on their less developed PFVP quality. Control patients attended a conventional CR programme. Cardiopulmonary exercise test (VO2 at the first ventilatory threshold, VT1, and the peak), blood tests [LDL and HDL cholesterol (LDL-C and HDL-C)], and handgrip and quadriceps force were assessed at baseline and after CR. The mean age was 60.8 ± 9.6 years, and 15% were women. A significantly greater benefit in VO2 peak (experimental: +21.5 ± 19.2% vs. control: +10.5 ± 15.8%, P < 0.001), VO2 at VT1 (experimental: +35.5 ± 33.6% vs. control: +8.4 ± 31.2%, P < 0.001), and LDL-C (P = 0.001) were observed in the experimental group. Both groups significantly increased HDL-C and muscle parameters.

Conclusion: The novel CR, based on initial individual PFVP performed on stationary cycle ergometer, showed greater benefits on cardiorespiratory capacities and lipid profile than a conventional, non-individualized CR. Therefore, PFVP could be used in CR to adapt specifically the content of training sessions.

Keywords: Cardiac rehabilitation; Coronary artery disease; Cycle sprint; Exercise; Physical activity; Power–force–velocity relationship.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: None declared.

Figures

Graphical Abstract
Graphical Abstract
Figure 1
Figure 1
Physical training according to participants of each group. PFVP, power–force–velocity profile.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Main parameters of the power–force–velocity profile. F0, theoretical maximum force; Pmax, maximal power output; Sfv, slope of the linear force–velocity relationship; V0, theoretical maximum velocity.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Physical exercise intervention. P, power; RPE, rate of perceived exertion; rpm, rotations per minute; VT, ventilatory threshold.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Decision flowchart. CR, cardiac rehabilitation; CV, cardiovascular; Sept, September.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Effect of 3-week specific and traditional exercise training on the oxygen uptake at the first ventilatory threshold (panel A) and on the peak oxygen uptake (panel B). VO2 at VT1, oxygen uptake at the first ventilatory threshold; VO2 peak, peak oxygen uptake.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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