Abstract

Physical performance, plasma lipids, glucose, ACTH, and cortisol were measuredbefore and after 3 to 24 months of exercise training of 114 healthy subjects, 41 patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) without history of myocardial infarction (MI), and 59 patients with recent MI. Healthy well-trained subjectsexhibited better physical performance (aerobic capacity) and alpha-lipoproteinpercentage, lower plasma concentrations of total lipids and cholesterol, lowerpre-beta-lipoprotein percentage, and a smaller increase of the product (systolic blood pressure x heart rate/100) with increasing workload than patients with IHD or MI. Healthy subjects not trained, but who initiated an exercise training program of shorter duration, improved their maximal physicalperformance; total lipids, triglycerides, and cholesterol plasma concentrations did not change. Patients recovering from MI improved their maximal physical performance with a reconditioning exercise program; plasma lipid concentrations did not change, but the alpha-lipoprotein percentage increased. ACTH concentration after the exercise stress test was higher in MI patients than in healthy subjects. Paralleling the cardiovascular dysfunction a progressive metabolic impairment seems to occur which may be in part modified by exercise training. Verf.-Referat