Cardiac RehabilitationWomen in Cardiac Rehabilitation: Optimizing the Training Response

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is highly prevalent in women resulting in 398,086 deaths annually. Even as women participate in traditional CR programs, data specificity and subsequent research have yet to emerge in a meaningful way so that women-centered CR can be better customized and their outcomes properly assessed. Aerobic fitness is a powerful predictor of prognosis in individuals with CVD yet there is evidence that women do not improve their peak VO2 as much as men during CR. We have designed a training program for women based upon past research with a goal of optimizing their training potential in CR. This program combines the utilization of a training technique termed high intensity interval training along with specific strength training exercises of the upper legs. We hypothesize that women, irrespective of age, would be capable of high intensity interval training to improve peak aerobic capacity in the CR setting. Furthermore, since women often have a deficit of thigh strength entering CR, and thigh strength correlates with endurance walking,strength training will also be included. The purpose of this study is to examine the value of high intensity interval training and strength training to maximize aerobic training response in CR for women. This may contribute to establishing specific protocols and training guidelines for future program design for women in CR. Since a set of comprehensive CR guidelines pertaining to women is lacking, it is hoped that the results of this study will help us develop exercise protocols and regimen to better structure and modulate CR programs for optimal benefit to women.