The effect of interval and continuous aerobic training on exercise capacity and health-related quality of life in people with coronary artery DISEASE: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Aerobic exercise is a fundamental component of cardiac rehabilitation in individuals with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the comparative effects of interval and continuous aerobic training on exercise capacity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) remain under debate. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial included 40 patients with clinically stable coronary artery disease. Participants were randomly assigned to either interval aerobic training or continuous aerobic training for six weeks. The 6-min walk test (6MWT) was used to evaluate exercise capacity, and the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire was used to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL). All assessments were performed before and after the training program. RESULTS: Both training groups demonstrated significant improvements in exercise capacity and HRQoL following the intervention. Interval aerobic training resulted in greater improvements in 6-min walk distance, exercise test duration, and selected SF-36 domains compared with continuous aerobic training. CONCLUSION: Both interval and continuous aerobic training improved exercise capacity and health-related quality of life in patients with coronary artery disease. Interval aerobic training was associated with superior improvements in submaximal exercise capacity and selected quality-of-life domains, suggesting that it may be an effective alternative within cardiac rehabilitation programs.