Aim: This study aimed to determine the effect of moderate intensity continuous exercise (Ex) and hypoxia (Hyp) on serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and its binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), irisin and cytokines levels in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Methods: A total of 14 individuals with T1D (age: 28.7 ± 7.3 years) and 14 healthy adults (age: 27.1 ± 3.9 years) performed 40-min continuous Ex at moderate intensity (50% lactate threshold) on a cycle ergometer in normoxia (Nor) and Hyp (FiO2 = 15.1%) Biochemical factors, glucose concentrations and physiological variables were measured at rest, immediately and up to 24 h after both Ex protocols. Results: Patients with T1D had significantly lower pre-Ex serum concentrations of BDNF (p < 0.05, p < 0.01), and total IGF-1 (p < 0.001, p < 0.05) and significantly higher irisin levels (p < 0.05, p < 0.01) in Nor and Hyp, compared with healthy subjects. Ex significantly increased in T1D group serum BDNF (in Nor only p < 0.05) and total IGF-1 levels in Nor and Hyp (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively). Immediately after Ex in Hyp, freeIGF-1 (p < 0.05) and irisin levels (p < 0.001) were significantly higher compared with the levels induced by Ex alone. Free IGF-1 and irisin serum levels remained elevated in 24 h post-Ex in Hyp. In T1D, significant blood glucose (BG) decrease was observed immediately after Ex in Hyp (p < 0.001) and in 24 h recovery (p < 0.001) compared with pre-Ex level. Conclusion: The study results suggest that moderate intensity continuous Ex has beneficial effect on BDNF and IGF-1 levels. Ex in hypoxic conditions may be more effective in increasing availability of IGF-1. The alterations in the post-Ex irisin levels and IGF-1 system may be contributing to more effective glycaemia control in patients with T1D.

The presence of a well-developed collateral circulation in the area of the artery responsible for the infarction improves the prognosis of patients and leads to a smaller area of infarction. One of the factors influencing the formation of collateral circulation is hypoxia, which induces angiogenesis and arteriogenesis, which in turn cause the formation of new vessels. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of endurance training conducted under normobaric hypoxia in patients after myocardial infarction at the level of exercise tolerance and hemodynamic parameters of the left ventricle. Thirty-five patients aged 43–74 (60.48 ± 4.36) years who underwent angioplasty with stent implantation were examined. The program included 21 training units lasting about 90 min. A statistically significant improvement in exercise tolerance assessed with the cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) was observed: test duration (p < 0.001), distance covered (p < 0.001), HRmax (p = 0.039), maximal systolic blood pressure (SBPmax) (p = 0.044), peak minute ventilation (VE) (p = 0.004) and breathing frequency (BF) (p = 0.044). Favorable changes in left ventricular hemodynamic parameters were found for left ventricular end-diastolic dimension LVEDD (p = 0.002), left ventricular end-systolic dimension LVESD (p = 0.015), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (p = 0.021), lateral e’ (p < 0.001), septal e’ (p = 0.001), and E/A (p = 0.047). Endurance training conducted in hypoxic conditions has a positive effect on exercise tolerance and the hemodynamic indicators of the left ventricle.

Health-oriented physical activity should meet two key criteria: safety and an optimal level of exercise. The system of monitoring and rationalization of training (SMART) was designed to meet them. SMART integrates a custom-configured inertial measurement unit (IMU) and a sensor with real-time heart rate measurement (HR) using a proprietary computer application. SMART was used to evaluate the safety and exercise load with 115 study participants: 51 women (44.35%) and 64 men (55.65%) aged 19 to 65 years. The exercise test was the 6MWT test. In 35% of the participants, the mean HR exceeded the recognized safe limit of HR 75% max. Ongoing monitoring of HR allows for optimal exercise and its safety. Step count data were collected from the SMART system. The average step length was calculated by dividing the distance by the number of steps. The aim of the present study was to assess the risk of excessive cardiovascular stress during the 6MWT test using the SMART system.

Background/Objective: Attention should be paid to the introduction of more functional training methods during the second stage of cardiac rehabilitation, which imitate everyday activities to some extent. The main purpose of this research was to analyze the effects of a 22-day training program carried out in normobaric hypoxic conditions corresponding to the altitude of 3000 m a.s.l. in patients after myocardial infarction and to compare it with the same training conducted in normoxic conditions. Material and Methods: This study included 36 patients after myocardial infarction who underwent percutaneous angioplasty with stent implantation. They were examined before and after 2 days of training sessions: day one, spiroergometric exercise test on a mechanical treadmill, blood collection for laboratory tests; day two, echocardiography of the heart. Than patients underwent 22 days of training in hypoxic conditions. At the end of experiment patients had the same examinations as day one and two. Results: Training conducted in hypoxic conditions had a wider impact on spiroergometrical parameters. Significant, beneficial changes were demonstrated in relation to test duration, distance covered, energy expenditure MET, respiratory exchange ratio RER, as well as resting values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure. There were no changes in parameters for morphology, cytokines, and fibrinogen. There were some differences in relation to echocardiography examinations. Conclusions: The conditions in which the rehabilitation training was conducted affect the level of exercise tolerance. The hypoxic conditions in which the training was conducted affected only two hemodynamic parameters: LVESd and e’ septal. Rehabilitation training conducted in various environmental conditions had an impact only on the IL-10 value.

Background: Coronary artery disease remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in developed countries. Despite advances in treatment and standard rehabilitation, conventional programs may be monotonous and insufficiently engaging. Normobaric hypoxia, simulating high-altitude conditions, has emerged as a potential method to enhance cardiovascular adaptations in post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients. Objective: This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation performed under normobaric hypoxia corresponding to altitudes of 2000 m and 3000 m above sea level in patients after MI treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A total of 61 male post-MI patients (mean age 60.4 ± 8.9 years) were randomized into two groups: training under simulated altitudes of 2000 m (n = 35) or 3000 m (n = 26). The 22-day program consisted of interval ergometer sessions. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), echocardiography, and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). Results: Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in exercise tolerance. Training at 2000 m significantly increased test duration (r = 0.735) and peak heart rate (r = 0.467). At 3000 m, additional benefits were observed, including improvements in metabolic equivalent (r = 0.861), peak oxygen consumption (d = 0.81), and reduction in respiratory exchange ratio (r = 0.682). Intergroup analysis revealed moderate differences favoring the 3000 m group in MET, breathing frequency, and RER. Echocardiography showed beneficial remodeling in both groups, with improvements in LV dimensions, ejection fraction, and MAPSE. Notably, training at 2000 m resulted in more consistent echocardiographic benefits compared to 3000 m. Conclusions: Cardiac rehabilitation under normobaric hypoxia is effective and safe in stable post-MI patients. Training at 3000 m provides greater improvements in exercise tolerance, while 2000 m confers more favorable effects on cardiac structure and function. These findings suggest that moderate hypoxic exposure (2000 m) may represent an optimal balance between efficacy and safety in post-MI rehabilitation.