title: Training adherence in early cardiac rehabilitation: EFFECT OF EXERCISE SESSION DURATION.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of the prolongation of exercise sessions (from 40 to 60 minutes) on training adherence in the rehabilitation of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective, randomized clinical trial, 417 CAD patients (mean age = 63 +/- 10 years, 78% males) followed a 7-week exercise training intervention, 3 sessions each week, at 65% of the maximal oxygen uptake capacity. Subjects were randomly assigned to 40-minute (n = 198) or 60-minute (n = 219) exercise sessions, with equal time distribution on the different exercise modalities (42%-treadmill, 33%-bike, and 25%-arm cranking device, in each session). During the exercise training intervention, dropout, as well as the reasons for dropout, was registered.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 7 weeks of exercise training, dropout rate was comparable between groups ( approximately 19.9%, P > .05). However, patients with acute myocardial infarction and/or coronary artery bypass graft surgery were more likely to complete the exercise training intervention (P < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prolongation of the exercise sessions does not interfere with the training adherence in the early rehabilitation of CAD patients.
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation and Health Centre, Virga Jesse Hospital, Hasselt, Belgium.
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Berger
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dendale
authors.forename: Rudy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De Rybel
authors.forename: Romain
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Meeusen
mesh_terms: D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome