Project R-13400

An international study on guideline-directed exercise intensity domains recommendations for cardiovascular rehabilitation prescription and development of new methodologies. (Research)

Background: Exercise prescription is a cornerstone of efficient and safe cardiovascular rehabilitation (CR). Although the direct identification of ventilatory thresholds (VT1 and VT2) by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is the gold standard, such testing is not always available, and prescription by indirect methods remains challenging. Aims: To compare elicited exercise responses at VTs with the recommendations of current CR guidelines; propose novel equations to redefine prescription parameters; compare the accuracy of prescription methods (guideline recommendations and novel equations); and validate the novel equations in external study samples. Methods: A cross-sectional study with maximal treadmill or cycloergometer cardiopulmonary exercise tests on patients with cardiovascular disease will be performed. VTs will be identified and compared to guideline-based prescription recommendations for exercise intensity domains. Multilinear regression analyses will be performed to generate prediction equations for heart rate at VTs. Accuracy will be assessed by the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of the prescription methods. Validation of novel equations will be evaluated by Bland- Altman plots.

01 January 2023 - 30 June 2024