An innovative cardiac rehabilitation based on the power-force-velocity profile to further improve cardiorespiratory capacities in coronary artery disease patients

Background Individually optimising the training programme of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) remains a major concern among young coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. Among effective tools, the power-force-velocity profile (PFVP) is usually assessed to improve performance in athletes through individualised training. Therefore, assessing PFVP may allow better personalization of CR. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of a new CR customized based on patient’s PFVP versus a traditional CR in CAD patients on cardiorespiratory, biological and muscular systems. Methods A total of 86 patients participated in this study. The 3-week intervention consisted of physical training sessions (4/week) and therapeutic education workshops (1/week). Experimental group patients followed a specific cycling training programme based on their deficient PFVP quality. Control patients attended a conventional, common CR programme. Cardiopulmonary exercise test (VO2 at the first ventilatory threshold, VT1, and the peak), blood tests (low- and high-density lipoproteins cholesterol, LDL-C and HDL-C), handgrip and quadriceps force were performed at baseline and after CR. Results The mean age was 60.8 ± 9.6 y, 15% were women. A significantly greater benefit in VO2 peak(experimental: +21.5 ± 19.2% vs. control: +10.5 ± 15.8%, p<0.001), VO2 at VT1 (experimental: +35.5 ± 33.6% vs. control: +8.4 ± 31.2%, p<0.001), and LDL-C (p=0.001) were observed in the experimental group. Both groups significantly increased HDL-C and muscle parameters. Conclusion The novel CR, based on initial PFVP, showed greater benefits on cardiorespiratory capacities and lipid profile than a conventional, non-individualised CR. Therefore, PFVP could be used in CR to adapt specifically the content of training sessions.