Abstract

The effects of 12 weeks of low intensity physical conditioning on serum lipid levels, body composition, and cardiorespiratory function were studied among patients with coronary heart disease. Twenty-three men, 45 to 59 years old, volunteered to participate. Three were excluded for medical reasons, and one voluntarily discontinued exercise. The conditioning program included a 10-minute warmup, 15 to 30 minutes of walking-jogging at an individually prescribedintensity corresponding to 70 to 75 of maximum heart rate (HRmax), and a 5-minute recovery period. The conditioning resulted in a decrease (p< 0.05) inheart rate and blood pressure during standard submaximal work (200 kg/m/min). Maximalheart rate increased (p<0.05) by five beats per minute. Symptom-limited maximal oxygen uptake increased 12.8 (p<0.001) when expressed per unit body weight. Body weight remained essentially unchanged (-0.34 kg) while fatfree weight and fat weight increased (+/- 0.68 kg, p<0.05) and decreased (-1.02 kg, p<0.05), respectively. Serum lipid levels remained unaffected by the conditioning regimen. Low intensity exercise is effective in cardiac reconditioning and should be favored at least during the initial stages of a trainingregimen in view of the decreased orthopedic problems, added safety, high adherence level and tolerable working rate. Verf.-Referat