PURPOSE: To analyze the changes in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and body composition following 2 different (low-volume versus high-volume) high-intensity aerobic interval training (HIIT) programs with Mediterranean diet (Mediet) recommendations in individuals after myocardial infarction (MI) and compared with an attention control group (AC). METHODS: Body composition and CRF were assessed before and after a 16-wk intervention in 70 participants (58.4 +/- 8.5 yr) diagnosed with MI. All participants received Mediet recommendations and were randomly assigned to the AC group (physical activity recommendations, n = 14) or one of the 2 supervised aerobic exercise groups (2 d/wk training): high-volume (40 min) HIIT (n = 28) and low-volume (20 min) HIIT (n = 28). RESULTS: Following the intervention, no significant changes were seen in the AC group and no differences between HIIT groups were found in any of the studied variables. Only HIIT groups showed reductions in waist circumference (low-volume HIIT delta -4%, p < 0.05; high-volume HIIT delta -2%, p < 0.001) and improvements in CRF (low-volume HIIT delta 15%, p < 0.01; high-volume HIIT delta 22%; p < 0.001) with significant between-group differences (attention control versus HIIT groups). CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that a 16-wk intervention (2 d/wk) of different HIIT volumes with Mediet recommendations could equally improve CRF and waist circumference after MI. Low-volume HIIT may be a potent and time-efficient exercise training strategy to improve functional capacity.
For more information on this journal, please visit http://www.lww.com.

Full text (sometimes free) may be available at these link(s):      help

• DOI
• PubMed
• PDF locator
• publisher