Cardiopulmonary data gained by exercise (ergocycle) stress-testing and a survey of quality of life by means of questionnaire were collected on 19 cardiac outpatients (12 post-myocardial infarction, and 7 post-cardiac surgery). The purpose of the investigation was to evaluate the effectiveness of the physiotherapy component of the cardiac rehabilitation programme, by comparing the quality of life and cardiovascular fitness of a group of formally exercising cardiac patients (n = 10) with a non-exercising control group (n = 9). Each was tested and surveyed on four occasions. The exercising group participated concurrently in physiotherapy exercise classes. Variables examined were: stopping time of cycle test; rate-pressure product; %VO2max of predicted VO2max; sleep; tiredness; concentration; confidence; perception of health; change of exercise habits. It is concluded that the cardiac exercise classes had a significant effect on sleep, perceived effect of exercise, and quality of life. There was no significant change in stop time and maximum rate-pressure product; however it is noted that the exercise ergometer testing is a reactive procedure. There was a significant improvement in %VO2max (actual) of predicted VO2max (0.02 => p => 0.01) in the exercising group.

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