title: Training, detraining and retraining effects after a water-based exercise program in patients with coronary artery disease.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace, Komotini, Greece. stokmaki@phyed.duth.gr
authors.forename: Savvas P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Tokmakidis
authors.forename: Apostolos T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Spassis
authors.forename: Konstantinos A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Volaklis
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D014867:Water