Insufficient information is available for selection of the most appropriate exercise levels for training and rehabilitation of coronary heart disease (CHD) patients with varying degrees of severity. Several studies indicate that vigorous exercise can be safely performed and that such training can elicit cardiovascular adaptations in selected CHD patients. We propose to compare the effects of low and high levels of regular supervised training over a two-year treatment period on cardiac adaptations among 200 patients with CHD documented by arteriogram or myocardial infarction. We will test the hypothesis that exercise of appropriate intensity and duration will safely effect cardiovascular adaptations. Recruitment, training and evaluation will take place at two affiliated clinical centers with long experience in cardiac rehabilitation. Eligible men will enter a pre-randomization program designed to identify and eliminate persons with adherence problems or poor motivation. Participants will be randomly assigned to high or low exercise groups and will be evaluated periodically with two independent exercise techniques - supine ergometer exercise and upright maximal exercise testing with gas exchange measurements. Both tests will include two-dimensional echocardiography pre- and post-exercise as well as during exercise with the ergometer. Comparison of the value of the two exercise techniques will yield important clinical information. The major outcome assessed will be the change in exercise ejection fraction at one year. Additional observations reflecting ventricular function, myocardial oxygen delivery capacity and metabolic alterations over time by treatment group will be noted. Results of this study will contribute to better understanding long-term cardiac adaptations with different physical activity levels and possibly the efficacy of secondary prevention. The implications for exercise prescriptions and patient evaluation in cardiac rehabilitation programs will be far reaching.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HL037597-02
Application #
3353414
Study Section
Clinical Trials Review Committee (CLTR)
Project Start
1986-12-01
Project End
1991-11-30
Budget Start
1987-12-01
Budget End
1988-11-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1988
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Alabama Birmingham
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
004514360
City
Birmingham
State
AL
Country
United States
Zip Code
35294
Kim, J R; Oberman, A; Fletcher, G F et al. (2001) Effect of exercise intensity and frequency on lipid levels in men with coronary heart disease: Training Level Comparison Trial. Am J Cardiol 87:942-6; A3
Lee, J Y; Jensen, B E; Oberman, A et al. (1996) Adherence in the training levels comparison trial. Med Sci Sports Exerc 28:47-52
Oberman, A; Fletcher, G F; Lee, J et al. (1995) Efficacy of high-intensity exercise training on left ventricular ejection fraction in men with coronary artery disease (the Training Level Comparison Study). Am J Cardiol 76:643-7
Lee, J Y; Oberman, A; Fletcher, G F et al. (1994) Design of the training levels comparison trial. Control Clin Trials 15:59-76
Oberman, A; Fan, P H; Nanda, N C et al. (1989) Reproducibility of two-dimensional exercise echocardiography. J Am Coll Cardiol 14:923-8