EFFECTS OF HIGH-INTENSITY STRENGTH TRAINING ON QUALITY-OF-LIFE PARAMETERS IN CARDIAC REHABILITATION PATIENTS

Cardiac rehabilitation programs have not consistently been shown to im prove the psychological well being of their patients. In our study of 38 cardiac patients (29 men and 9 women), a variety of quality-of-life parameters were assessed before and after they completed either 12 we eks of high-intensity strength training or flexibility training added to their outpatient cardiac rehabilitation aerobic exercise program. T he strength-trained patients increased their self-efficacy scores for lifting (29% vs 4%, p < 0.05), push-ups (65% vs. 17%, p < 0.01), climb ing (36% vs 0%, p < 0.001), and logging (100% vs -9%, p < 0.001), when compared with the flexibility-trained patients. The strength group al so had greater improvements in Profile of Mood States dimensions: tota l mood disturbance (123% vs 18%, p < 0.05), depression/dejection (73% vs 15%, p < 0.05), and fatigue/inertia (42% vs 3% p < 0.05), than did the flexibility group. The Medical Outcome Survey Short Form 36 role e motional health domain scores were significantly improved in the stren gth group when compared with the flexibility group (64% vs 0%, p < 0.0 5), and the role limitation scores improved in both groups. Increases in strength were associated with enhanced self efficacy and improved m ood and well-being scores (n = 34, r = 0.30 to 0.53, p <0.05). High-in tensity strength training added to a cardiac rehabilitation program of selected patients leads to improvements in quality-of-life parameters . These data, in conjunction with improvements in strength, strongly s upport the value of adding high-intensity strength training to cardiac rehabilitation programs. (C) 1997 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.