Training, detraining and retraining effects after a water-based exercise program in patients with coronary artery disease.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the adaptations of a water-based training program as well as the detraining and retraining effects on physiological parameters in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).


METHODS
Twenty-one patients were separated in an exercise group (n = 11) and a control group (n = 10). The exercise group followed three periods: training, detraining and retraining. Each period lasted 4 months. During the training and the retraining periods, the patients performed four sessions of water exercise (not swimming) per week.


RESULTS
The water-based program was well-accepted and no adverse effects were observed. The exercise group improved (p < 0.05) their stress-test time (+11.8%), VO(2 peak) (+8.4%) and total body strength (+12.2%) after the training period; detraining tended to reverse these positive adaptations. Resumption of training increased the beneficial effects obtained after the initial training period (exercise stress: +4.5%; VO(2 peak): +6.6%; total strength: +7.0%). The patients in the control group did not show any significant alterations throughout the study.


CONCLUSIONS
Water-based exercise is safe and induces positive physiological and muscular adaptations in low-risk patients with CAD. These could be reversed, however, after the cessation of exercise. This is why uninterrupted exercise throughout life is a must.
Tokmakidis
Savvas P
SP
Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace, Komotini, Greece. stokmaki@phyed.duth.gr
Spassis
Apostolos T
AT
Volaklis
Konstantinos A
KA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000628:therapy; D005080:Exercise Test; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006115:Greece; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010807:Physical Endurance; D011788:Quality of Life; D014867:Water
D014867:Water