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

Starting soon · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Stable Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), Myocardial Infarction

In brief

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.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07485400

Run by

Universidad Complutense de Madrid

People needed

48

Starts

2026-03-17

Expected to finish

2026-07-03

Last updated by the study team

2026-03-20

Who can join

Age: 40 and older, up to 75. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Confirmed diagnosis of cardiovascular disease requiring cardiac rehabilitation, with medical indication for a supervised exercise training program.
• Prognostic risk classified as low or moderate according to the clinical risk stratification established in the unit, considering:
• Killip class I or II (absence or mild heart failure)¹.
• Absence of recent acute myocardial infarction (< 1 month) or presence of a stable previous infarction.
• Stable and well-controlled cardiovascular symptoms.
• Physical capacity demonstrated in functional tests ≥ 5 METs, preferably > 7 METs for low-risk patients.
• Age between 40 and 75 years.
• Ability to perform physical exercise without absolute contraindications.
• Written informed consent and willingness to attend the scheduled sessions twice per week for 8 weeks.

You may not qualify if…

• High prognostic risk, defined by:
• Killip class > III (moderate to severe heart failure).
• Recent acute myocardial infarction (< 1 month) with clinical instability.
• Active anginal symptoms or decompensated heart failure.
• Physical capacity < 5 METs on functional testing, indicating severely reduced exercise capacity.
• Presence of complex or unstable arrhythmias contraindicating vigorous physical exercise.
• Concomitant diseases that may limit participation or compromise safety (e.g., advanced pulmonary disease, severe renal failure, severe neuromuscular disorders).
• Absolute medical contraindications to maximal strength or interval training (e.g., aortic aneurysm, uncontrolled hypertension).
• Participation in another clinical trial or concurrent rehabilitation program.
• Inability to comply with attendance requirements or to follow the intervention protocol.

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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