EFFECTS OF HEART RATE VARIABILITY-BASED TRAINING ON FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN CARDIAC PATIENTS

Abstract

In cardiac rehabilitation, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is safe and effective, but it is not adapted to individual needs. Therefore, HRV-based training is a novel approach. The aim was to analyse the effect of HRV-based training on functional capacity and quality of life in cardiac patients. It was an 8-week randomised controlled trial with an experimental group that trained based on HRV (HRV_G) and a control group that followed HIIT training (HIIT_G). Functional capacity was assessed using 3 tests of the Senior Fitness Test; quality of life using the MacNew QLMI Questionnaire; body composition variables and minutes of work at high and low intensity. Jamovi 2.3 software was used. There were significant differences between groups in hip circumference (p = .010), as well as in minutes of work at high (p = .012) and low intensity (p = .026). However, both groups improved functional capacity but only HRV_G increased self-perceived quality of life (p = .037). HRV-based training achieves the same benefits as HIIT with respect to functionality and quality of life with less work volume at high intensity, thus optimising the exercise dose. However, the duration of cardiac rehabilitation programmes would need to be extended.