Improved physical fitness and quality of life following training of elderly patients after acute coronary events - A 1 year follow-up randomized controlled study

Aims Cardiac rehabilitation including exercise training is of proven value in ischaemic heart disease. However, elderly patients frequently are not en couraged to participate in such programmes, This study evaluates the: physi ological effects and self-reported quality of life after an aerobic outpati ent group-training programme in subjects above the age of 65 years. Methods and Results a consecutive series of 101 patients (males 80%) aged 6 5-84 (mean 71) years recovering from an acute coronary event were randomize d to either a supervised out patient group-training programme (n = 50) or t o a control group (n = 51). The two groups were: well balanced as regards c linical characteristics. The compliance in the training group was 87%. Exer cise tolerance increased in the trained group from 104 to 122 and 111 W aft er 3 and 12 months respectively. The corresponding values were 102, 105 and 105 W among controls. Parameters. such as quality of life: self-estimated level of physical activity, fitness and well-being were graded higher by th e trained patients than those who served as controls on the two occasions o f follow-up. Conclusions Aerobic group-training of elderly patients recovering from an a cute coronary event beneficially influences physical fitness and several pa rameters expressing quality of life. Great care has to be taken to preserve the initial effects by continued training. (C) 1999 The European Society o f Cardiology.