Correlates of the effect of physical training in cardiac patients

A retrospective analysis was performed in 118 patients with heart disease, who were trained for 3 months. Peak oxygen uptake (VO2) increased with 38%. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the gain in peak oxygen uptake after the training program was more important when the initial peak oxygen uptake was low, when a history of angina and dyspnoea were absent and when the training intensity and frequency was high (R = 0.62). It was not related to the type of myocardial infarction, peak CPK, cardiac function, medical treatment, ST depression or arrhythmias.