AHA/AACVPR %HRR-based exercise recommendations accurately reflect the lower boundary of moderate-intensity exercise (MAE 6.4 bpm) but underestimate the transition to higher intensities.
Observational (n=2,554)
Yes
Does the AHA/AACVPR guideline-defined moderate-intensity exercise range (40-59% HRR) accurately reflect individual physiological effort responses (ventilatory thresholds) in patients with cardiometabolic disease?
Current AHA/AACVPR guidelines for moderate-intensity exercise accurately reflect the lower boundary of effort but underestimate the upper boundary, suggesting many patients may exercise at sub-optimal intensities.
Effect estimate: MAE 6.4 bpm at VT1; MAE 12.0 bpm at VT2
Aims To evaluate how accurately the updated AHA/AACVPR Scientific Statement prescribes moderate-intensity exercise based on percentage of heart rate reserve (%HRR), by comparing it with heart rate (HR) at ventilatory thresholds in patients with cardiometabolic disease (CMD).Methods This retrospective multicentre study included 2,554 individuals from 12 centres across nine countries. HR at the first and second ventilatory thresholds (VT1, VT2), obtained by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), was compared with HR estimated from the guideline-defined moderate-intensity range (40-59% HRR). Agreement was assessed using Bland-Altman analysis, calibration using Passing-Bablok regression, and prediction error using mean absolute error.Results HR at VT1 closely approximated the lower limit (40% HRR), with minimal bias and a mean absolute error of 6.4 bpm. In contrast, HR at VT2 was substantially higher than the upper limit (59% HRR), with a negative bias (-11.4 bpm) and greater prediction error (mean absolute error of 12.0 bpm). Calibration analysis showed minor deviation at VT1 but marked systematic and proportional bias at VT2, indicating miscalibration at higher intensities. These findings were consistent across subgroup analyses.Conclusion The AHA/AACVPR %HRR-based recommendations accurately reflect the lower boundary of moderate-intensity exercise but underestimate the transition to higher intensities. Aligning %HRR-based prescriptions with CPET-derived physiological thresholds are likely to improve the precision and effectiveness of exercise prescription in cardiac rehabilitation, while also strengthening methodological rigor and supporting more accurate interpretation of research findings.This study examined whether current guidelines for prescribing exercise intensity in cardiac rehabilitation accurately reflect how the body responds to exercise. In more than 2,500 adults with cardiometabolic diseases, the guideline-based lower limit for moderate-intensity exercise closely matched the body’s natural transition from low to moderate effort, but the upper limit underestimated the transition to higher intensities.As a result, many patients may exercise at intensities that are too low to achieve optimal cardiovascular benefits, highlighting the importance of aligning exercise prescriptions with individual physiological responses.
Milani et al. (Wed,) conducted a observational in Cardiometabolic disease (n=2,554). AHA/AACVPR %HRR-based exercise prescription vs. CPET-derived physiological thresholds (VT1, VT2) was evaluated on Agreement between HR estimated from guideline-defined moderate-intensity range (40-59% HRR) and HR at ventilatory thresholds (MAE 6.4 bpm at VT1; MAE 12.0 bpm at VT2). AHA/AACVPR %HRR-based exercise recommendations accurately reflect the lower boundary of moderate-intensity exercise (MAE 6.4 bpm) but underestimate the transition to higher intensities.