CHD patients can opt for intense training

High-intensity exercise is shown to be protective against coronary heart disease (CHD) and is well known as a popular and time-saving approach to getting fit. A new study from the K. G. Jebsen—Center of Exercise in Medicine at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim, Norway examines this question in detail. Researcher’s analyzed data from four randomized, controlled trials conducted at the center to try to determine what characterized the most effective high-intensity training programme for this patient group. “When we compared VO2max before and after the training period, we found that the number of training sessions, the subject's age or baseline fitness levels had no impact”, says Trine Moholdt, a postdoctoral fellow at the center and lead author of the study. “But the intensity of the intervals had a significant effect, and seems to be the most important characteristic of an effective interval session”.