Effect of concurrent training on left ventricular contractile function in patients with coronary artery disease

Exercise training has assumed a major role in cardiac rehabilitation, mostly because of its positive effects on myocardial perfusion in patients with coronary artery disease. Most researches has contained aerobic training but the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of concurrent training on patients with coronary artery disease as new model training. Twenty four patient with coronary artery disease (mean age of 60±6 yrs; mean weight 74±12 kg; and mean body mass index 26±4) were randomly divided to two subgroups: experimental (n=12) and control (n=12) groups. The experimental group participated in 3 months concurrent training, 3 times/week for 60 to 80 minutes at 70% to 85% of MHR and 40% to 60% of 1RM. Investigation variables were assessed at baseline and at the end of the protocol by the impedance cardiography method. Training induced significant decrease in heart rate from 73±6 to 64±8 beats/min at rest (P<0.05). Also systolic, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure at rest decreased (P<0.05). Stroke volume increased from 60±8 to 81±13 mL (P<0.05). Cardiac output increased from 4.2±0.5 to 5.3±0.7 Lit/min (P<0.05). Concurrent training may be a good method in some patients with CAD.