Aerobic Interval vs Continuous Training on Heart Rate-Power Decoupling in Ischemic Heart Disease

Summary

This study is a randomized, parallel-group clinical trial with assessor and statistical analyst blinding, conducted at a single center. Participants with stable ischemic heart disease enrolled in a cardiac rehabilitation program will be randomly allocated to one of two aerobic exercise interventions: long extensive continuous aerobic training (zone 2) or long extensive aerobic interval training (zone 3). Both groups will participate in supervised exercise sessions twice weekly for a period of 8 weeks, integrated into the standard cardiac rehabilitation program.

Assessments will be performed at baseline, immediately after the intervention period (8 weeks), and after a 4-week follow-up period without supervised training to evaluate potential detraining effects. The primary outcome is heart rate-power decoupling during a prolonged submaximal cycling exercise test, used as an indicator of cardiovascular efficiency. Secondary outcomes include heart rate response during submaximal exercise, exercise tolerance, heart rate recovery, blood pressure, functional capacity, quality of life, and adherence to the training program.

The objective of this study is to compare the effects of long extensive aerobic interval training versus long extensive continuous training on heart rate-power decoupling and related cardiovascular and functional outcomes in patients with ischemic heart disease undergoing cardiac rehabilitation.

Conditions

• Stable Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), Myocardial Infarction

Interventions

OTHER

Intervention Group

Participants will undergo an 8-week aerobic interval training program on a cycle ergometer, consisting of two weekly supervised sessions of 90 minutes. Each session includes: Warm-up: 10-15 minutes of low-intensity continuous pedaling (≤60% max HR) and joint mobility exercises. Main aerobic interval training: 8 intervals of 3 minutes pedaling at 75-85% of maximum heart rate, each followed by 2 minutes of active recovery at 65-70% max HR. Total aerobic training duration approximately 40 minutes. Cool-down: 5-10 minutes of light pedaling and stretching. Heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation will be continuously monitored. Safety criteria for session interruption will be applied.

OTHER

Control Group (A):

Participants will complete an 8-week continuous aerobic training program on a cycle ergometer, with two weekly supervised 90-minute sessions, including: Warm-up: 10-15 minutes of low-intensity continuous pedaling (≤60% max HR) and joint mobility exercises. Main aerobic continuous training: 40 minutes of continuous pedaling at 65-75% of maximum heart rate. Cool-down: 5-10 minutes of light pedaling and stretching. Monitoring and safety procedures as in the intervention group.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universidad Complutense de Madrid

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Gustavo Plaza-Manzano, PhD · Faculty of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Podiatry. Universidad Complutense de Madrid

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

40 Years

Max Age

75 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-03-17

Primary Completion

2026-05-17

Completion

2026-07-03