High intensity aerobic interval exercise is superior to moderate intensity exercise for increasing aerobic capacity in patients with coronary artery disease

Increased aerobic exercise capacity appears to reduce both all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease mortality. Physical exercise to improve peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) is thus strongly recommended, however evidence regarding the most efficient training intensity for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) is still lacking. The purpose of this randomized study was therefore to assess the effects of high intensity aerobic interval exercise compared to moderate intensity exercise, representing the same total training load, for increasing VO2peak in stable CAD-patients.

Twenty-one stable CAD-patients were randomized to supervised treadmill walking at either high intensity (80-90% of VO2peak) or moderate intensity (50-60% of VO2peak) three times a week for 10 weeks.