Conclusions HB exercise is slightly more effective than CB rehabilitation in terms of maintaining EC .
Background Exercise-based cardiovascular rehabilitation ( CR ) improves exercise capacity ( EC ) , lowers cardiovascular risk profile and increases physical functioning in the short term .
However , uptake of and adherence to a physically active lifestyle in the long run remain problematic .
Home-based ( HB ) exercise programmes have been introduced in an attempt to enhance long-term adherence to recommended levels of physical activity ( PA ) .
The current systematic review and meta- analysis aim ed to compare the longer-term effects of HB exercise programmes with usual care ( UC ) or centre-based ( CB ) CR in patients referred for CR .
Peak Oxygen Uptake after Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a 12-Month Maintenance Program versus Usual Care
Background Exercise capacity is a strong predictor of survival in patients with coronary artery disease ( CAD ) . Exercise capacity improves after cardiac rehabilitation exercise training , but previous studies have demonstrated a decline in peak oxygen uptake after ending a formal rehabilitation program . There is a lack of knowledge on how long-term exercise adherence can be achieved in CAD patients . We therefore assessed if a 12-month maintenance program following cardiac rehabilitation would lead to increased adherence to exercise and increased exercise capacity compared to usual care . Material s and Methods Two-centre , open , parallel r and omized controlled trial with 12 months follow-up comparing usual care to a maintenance program . The maintenance program consisted of one monthly supervised high intensity interval training session , a written exercise program and exercise diary , and a maximum exercise test every third month during follow-up . Forty-nine patients ( 15 women ) on optimal medical treatment were included following discharge from cardiac rehabilitation . The primary endpoint was change in peak oxygen uptake at follow-up ; secondary endpoints were physical activity level , quality of life and blood markers of cardiovascular risk . Results There was no change in peak oxygen uptake from baseline to follow-up in either group ( intervention group 27.9 ( ±4.7 ) to 28.8 ( ±5.6 ) mL·kg ( -1 ) min ( −1 ) , control group 32.0 ( ±6.2 ) to 32.8 ( ±5.8 ) mL·kg ( −1 ) min ( −1 ) , with no between-group difference , p = 0.22 ) . Quality of life and blood biomarkers remained essentially unchanged , and both self-reported and measured physical activity levels were similar between groups after 12 months . Conclusions A maintenance exercise program for 12 months did not improve adherence to exercise or peak oxygen uptake  in CAD patients after discharge from cardiac rehabilitation compared to usual care . This suggests that infrequent supervised high intensity interval training sessions are inadequate to improve peak oxygen uptake in this patient group . Trial Registration Clinical Trials.gov
Conclusions HB exercise is slightly more effective than CB rehabilitation in terms of maintaining EC .
Background Exercise-based cardiovascular rehabilitation ( CR ) improves exercise capacity ( EC ) , lowers cardiovascular risk profile and increases physical functioning in the short term .
However , uptake of and adherence to a physically active lifestyle in the long run remain problematic .
Home-based ( HB ) exercise programmes have been introduced in an attempt to enhance long-term adherence to recommended levels of physical activity ( PA ) .
The current systematic review and meta- analysis aim ed to compare the longer-term effects of HB exercise programmes with usual care ( UC ) or centre-based ( CB ) CR in patients referred for CR .