Effects of Acute Aerobic Exercise Performed in a Single Supervised Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Session on Cardiovascular Disease Patients

Purpose To evaluate the effects of acute aerobic exercise in a supervised Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) session on cardiovascular parameters. To verify the association between health-related factors (anthropometry, quality of life, functional capacity and physical activity level) and cardiovascular parameters. Methods This experimental study evaluates cardiovascular parameters before and after a single CR session using the Mobil-O-Graph®. Quality of life was assessed by SF-36. Functional capacity and physical activity level (PAL) were evaluated by Duke Activity Status Index (DASI) and Human Activity Profile (HAP), respectively. It was a convenience sample, composed of patients who participated in a CR program. Results 71 patients (75.14 ± 10.28 years) were included. Heart rate significantly increased and systolic volume decreased (p = 0.0005) after exercise. The reflection coefficient and aortic pulsatility decreased significantly after exercise. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) negatively correlated with DASI scores (r= -0.5387, p = 0.0001) and HAP [adjusted activity score (r= -0.4964, p = 0.0001) and maximum activity score (r= -0.2904, p = 0.0140)], physical functioning and physical limitation of SF-36 applied before the CR session. Mean arterial pressure, central systolic and diastolic blood pressure positively associated with the SF-36 General Health Status component. cDBP associated with DASI and adjusted activity score. Conclusion PWV negatively correlated with DASI and HAP scores, indicating that individuals with lower PALs present higher PWV. The reduction in aortic pulsatility after exercise suggests a protective effect on high-flow organs. CONDENSED ABSTRACT This study evaluated cardiovascular parameters before and after a single CR session; and verified the association of these parameters with quality-of-life (SF-36), functional capacity (DASI) and physical activity level (HAP) of individuals with cardiovascular diseases. Pulse wave velocity negatively correlated with DASI and HAP scores and aortic pulsatility reduced after exercising.