Effects of a resistance exercise program based on anaerobic threshold determination in patients with coronary artery disease

Abstract

Resistance exercise (RE) is a powerful tool to, provide favorable effects on strength and muscle endurance, cardiovascular function and metabolism in coronary artery disease patients. However, the intensity of RE that could produce enhance of muscle and cardiovascular adaptations in CAD patients remains to be clarified. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of progressive resistance training on hemodynamic, autonomic, muscle and metabolism function in CAD patients. Additionally, we aim to investigate the optimal and individualized prescription for these patients. 20 men over the age of 50 years with a clinical diagnosis of CAD will be evaluated. Patients undergoing the following tests: (A) incremental ramp testing on a cycle ergometer, (B) discontinuous cycle ergometer testing with 10% increase of the peak power obtained in the ramp test, until fatigue (C) 1RM in leg -press 45°, (D) discontinuous in leg press 45° testing with an increment of 10%, according to the maximum load achieved in the 1RM test. During the testing will be evaluated the responses of heart rate and its variability, lactacidemia, hemodynamic, ventilatory and metabolic responses. After these evaluations, patients will be randomly assigned to resistance training (RE) or control group. RE will be taken in the load determined as anaerobic threshold (AT), as purposed by Simões et al, (2011). The training will be made for 8 weeks and twice a week. After 8 weeks, these patients are assessment again with the same evaluations described above. In this sense, the practical reasons for prescribing RE based on physiological and clinical responses in AT can be a useful method of exercise prescription, allowing greater safety and may result in muscle and autonomic adaptations in CAD patients. (AU)