When it comes to the difference in the types of exercise, traditional aerobic exercise is generally performed at a modern intensity, approximately 50-70% of maximal capacity for a continuous 20 minutes or more. High-intensity aerobic interval training is a process where you perform high-intensity intervals perhaps of 80-90% of maximal exercise capacity for 30-120 seconds or more during the workout.
Can a Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) patient perform High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)?
A CAD patient may perform 3-5 high-intensity workouts in space with lower intensity workouts during a 30-minute session.
What are the potential risks and benefits of that type of training program?
The biggest risk is musculoskeletal for patients who haven’t preconditioned themselves to be able to accommodate the exercise. For patients with cardiovascular symptoms, oftentimes they could develop problems.
It is recommended that the patient has an evaluation, including an exercise test for trying to perform aerobic high-intensity training to avoid injury.
Are there specific patients that should not be doing High-Intensity Interval Training?
Cardiovascular patients that are unstable and those who have symptoms with minimal exertion, the patients who haven’t been fairly evaluated should not perform HIIT. As well as the patients who develop musculoskeletal pain with more than modern intensity exercise, patients who are frail and may be prone to falls and patients who are extremely deconditioned are not ready for high-intensity aerobic interval training.
Is there any difference between special programs that are designed for cardiovascular patients and what they might get at their local gym or health club with the physical trainers that are there?
High-intensity training has been part of athletic training and fitness centers for decades. Exercise videos and personal trainers are certainly aware of the benefits of high-intensity interval training. The difference is that they will probably not be aware of the potential problems with a patient with cardiovascular disease. So, it is best for a patient with CAD to start aerobic interval training under medical supervision.
Disclaimer: This article is not meant to be taken as medical advice. Please consult your doctor or a healthcare professional when making changes to your diet and exercise habits.