Exercise is an effective strategy for reducing total and cardiovascular mortality in patients with coronary artery disease. However, it is not clear which modality is best. We performed a meta-analysis to investigate the effects of high-intensity interval versus moderate-intensity continuous training of coronary artery disease patients. We searched MEDLINE, PEDro, LILACS, SciELO and the Cochrane Library (from the earliest date available to November 2016) for controlled trials that evaluated the effects of high-intensity interval versus moderate-intensity continuous training for coronary artery disease patients. Weighted mean differences and 95% confidence intervals were calculated, and heterogeneity was assessed using the I² test. Twelve studies met the study criteria, including 609 patients. High-intensity interval training resulted in improvement in peak oxygen uptake weighted mean difference (1.3 ml/kg/min, 95% confidence interval: 0.6–1.9, n = 594) compared with moderate-intensity continuous training. No significant difference in physical, emotional, and social domain of quality of life was found for participants for participants in the high-intensity interval training group compared with the moderate-intensity continuous training group. Sub-analysis of three studies with isocaloric exercise training showed no significant difference in peak oxygen uptake weighted mean difference (0.4 ml/kg/min, 95% confidence interval: –0.1–0.9, n = 137) for participants in the high-intensity interval training group compared with moderate-intensity continuous training group. High-intensity interval training may improve peak oxygen uptake and should be considered as a component of care of coronary artery disease patients. However, this superiority disappeared when isocaloric protocol is compared.

Purpose. Heart rate variability (HRV) decreases after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) due to changes in cardiac autonomic balance. The purpose of the present study, therefore, was to evaluate the effects of a progressive exercise protocol used in phase I cardiac rehabilitation on the HRV of patients with post-AMI. Material and methods. Thirty-seven patients who had been admitted to hospital with their first non-complicated AMI were studied. The treated group (TG, n = 21, age = 52 ± 12 years) performed a 5-day programme of progressive exercise during phase I cardiac rehabilitation, while the control group (CG, n = 16, age = 54 ± 11 years) performed only respiratory exercises. Instantaneous heart rate (HR) and RR interval were acquired by a HR monitor (Polar®S810i). HRV was analysed by frequency domain methods. Power spectral density was expressed as normalised units (nu) at low (LF) and high (HF) frequencies, and as LF/HF. Results. After 5 days of progressive exercise, the TG showed an increase in HFnu (35.9 ± 19.5 to 65.19 ± 25.4) and a decrease in LFnu and LF/HF (58.9 ± 21.4 to 32.5 ± 24.1; 3.12 ± 4.0 to 1.0 ± 1.5, respectively) in the resting position (p < 0.05). No changes were observed in the CG. Conclusions. A progressive physiotherapeutic exercise programme carried out during phase I cardiac rehabilitation, as supplement to clinical treatment increased vagal and decreased sympathetic cardiac modulation in patients with post-AMI.

To systematically review articles that reported the impacts of social isolation on the physical and mental health of healthy older adults during the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) quarantine.E...