PURPOSE: Isocaloric interval exercise training programs have been shown to elicit improvements in numerous physiological indices in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Low-volume high-intensity interval exercise training (HIT) is effective in healthy populations; however its effectiveness in cardiac rehabilitation has not been established. This study compared the effects of 12-weeks of HIT, and higher-volume moderate-intensity endurance exercise (END), on brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak) in patients with CAD. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with documented CAD were randomized into HIT (n = 11) or END (n = 11) based on pre-training FMD. Both groups attended 2 supervised sessions per week for 12-weeks. END performed 30 to 50 minutes of continuous cycling at 58% peak power output (PPO), while HIT performed 10, 1-minute intervals at 89% PPO separated by 1-minute intervals at 10% PPO per session. RESULTS: Relative FMD was increased post-training (END 4.4 +/- 2.6% versus 5.9 +/- 3.6%; HIT 4.6 +/- 3.6% versus 6.1 +/- 3.4%, p <= 0.001 pre- versus post-training) with no differences between groups. A training effect was also observed for relative VO (END 18.7 +/- 5.7 ml/kg/min versus 22.3 +/- 6.1 ml/kg/min; HIT 19.8 +/- 3.7 ml/kg/min versus 24.5 +/- 4.5 ml/kg/min, p < 0.001 for pre- versus post-training), with no group differences. CONCLUSIONS: Low-volume high-intensity interval exercise training provides an alternative to the current, more time intensive prescription for cardiac rehabilitation. HIT elicited similar improvements in fitness and FMD as END, despite differences in exercise duration and intensity.

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