Effects of a Phase IV Home-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program on Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Physical Activity

Background Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally and sedentary lifestyle is one of the main risk factors. Home-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs appear to be effective to improve exercise tolerance. The aim of the study, therefore, was to evaluate the effects of a phase IV (maintenance) home-based CR program on cardiorespiratory fitness and daily physical activity of patients recovering from an acute myocardial infarction. Methods This pilot study, with a sub-group randomised controlled trial, included 32 individuals recovering from a myocardial infarction, randomly divided into the experimental group (EG, n = 16) and the control group (CG, n= 16). The EG performed an exercise program, three times per week, at home during eight weeks. The two groups received health education sessions. Baseline and final assessments included cardiorespiratory fitness, resting and peak heart rate, blood pressure and rate pressure, heart rate recovery and daily physical activity. (ClinicalTrials. gov: NCT01887080). Results At baseline no significant differences were observed between groups. After eight weeks of exercise, the EG significantly increased peak oxygen uptake (p=0.02), test duration (p=0.019), peak rate pressure (p=0.003), peak heart rate (p=0.003) and heart rate recovery (0.025) when compared to the CG. No changes were observed on daily physical activity in both groups. Conclusion This specific phase IV home-based exercise program seems to improve cardiorespiratory fitness, haemodynamics at peak exercise and heart rate recovery, an indicator of cardiac autonomic function.