Aerobic Interval Training in Cardiac Rehab Yields Long-Term Benefits

Audience members at the session devoted to research in cardiac rehab were generally enthusiastic about the Trondheim study findings and found the data convincing. One attendee said that the aerobic interval training program was as much a psychological as a physiological intervention.

“You’ve proved that a different self-reported behavior pattern was created. You’ve shown the patients that they could dare to perform high-level exercise,” he said.

“I do agree,” Dr. Moholdt replied. “Many patients quickly realized, often after the very first session, that it’s not dangerous to become exhausted.”

Dr. Josef Niebauer, session cochair, was the sole vocal skeptic.

“I’m just not buying it. I think these data should not be overinterpreted in the face of quite a high number of dropouts and mainly self-reported data,” said Dr. Niebauer of the University of Salzburg (Austria).

He added that although he believes aerobic interval training has a useful place in cardiac rehab, he believes it is currently in an “overhyped” phase within the field.

Disclosures: Dr. Moholdt’s study was funded by the Norwegian Foundation for Health and Rehabilitation. She declared having no financial conflicts.