It is unclear whether improvements in short-term (30s) exercise capacity are associated with the increased aerobic exercise tolerance frequently observed in cardiac patients following training. Carefully selected patients with documented coronary artery disease were randomly allocated either to a control group or to 12 wk of endurance exercise training; both progressive incremental cycle ergometer testing (maximal power output and peak VO2) and 30 s maximal isokinetic cycle ergometry (peak power, total work, fatigue index) were measured on entry into the study and 12 wk later. Initial maximum performance measures in progressive incremental exercise and in maximal short-term isokinetic cycling were similar in both groups. Following the training program, maximum power output measured during progressive incremental exercise and peak VO2 increased in the exercise group, but they were unchanged in the control group. Isokinetic peak power and total work improved whereas there were corresponding reductions in the control subjects, with little change in fatigue index in either group. The similar relative increases in isokinetic peak power and peak VO2 suggest that improvement in short-term exercise capacity may be an important contributor to the improvement of aerobic exercise tolerance frequently observed in cardiac patients undergoing an endurance exercise program.

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