The effect of interval and continuous aerobic training on exercise capacity and health-related quality of life in people with coronary artery DISEASE: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND

Aerobic exercise is a fundamental component of cardiac rehabilitation in individuals with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the comparative effects of interval and continuous aerobic training on exercise capacity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) remain under debate.

METHODS

This randomized controlled trial included 40 patients with clinically stable coronary artery disease. Participants were randomly assigned to either interval aerobic training or continuous aerobic training for six weeks. The 6-min walk test (6MWT) was used to evaluate exercise capacity, and the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire was used to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL). All assessments were performed before and after the training program.

RESULTS

Both training groups demonstrated significant improvements in exercise capacity and HRQoL following the intervention. Interval aerobic training resulted in greater improvements in 6-min walk distance, exercise test duration, and selected SF-36 domains compared with continuous aerobic training.

CONCLUSION

Both interval and continuous aerobic training improved exercise capacity and health-related quality of life in patients with coronary artery disease. Interval aerobic training was associated with superior improvements in submaximal exercise capacity and selected quality-of-life domains, suggesting that it may be an effective alternative within cardiac rehabilitation programs.