Original Scientific Paper Effects of exercise rehabilitation program on heart rate recovery in patients with chronic heart failure

Background Heart rate recovery (HRR1) immediately after exercise reflects parasympathetic activity, which is markedly attenuated in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients. The aim of our study was to examine both continuous and interval exercise training effects on HRR1 in these patients. Design The population study consisted of 29 stable CHF patients that participated at a rehabilitation program of 36 sessions, three times per week. Of the 29 patients, 24 completed the program. Patients were randomly assigned to interval {n=10 [100 % peak work rate (WRp) for 30 s, alternating with rest for 30 s]} and to continuous training [n=14 (50%WRp)]. Methods All patients performed a symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise test on a cycle ergometer before and after the completion of the program. Measurements included peak oxygen uptake (VO2p), anaerobic threshold (AT), WRp, first degree slope of VO2 during the first minute of recovery (VO2/t-slope), chronotropic response [ % chronotropic reserve (CR) = (peak HR – resting HR) 100/(220 – age – resting HR)], HRR1 (HR difference from peak exercise to one minute after). Results After the completion of the rehabilitation program there was a significant increase of WRp, VO2p, AT and VO2/t