Table 4. Phase 2 outpatient aerobic exercise recommendation.
| Phase 2 aerobic exercise prescription following acute myocardial infarction | |
| Frequency | 3-5 days/week |
| Intensity | Commencing with 40% exercise capacity and progressing to 80% exercise capacity using HR or VO2 reserve, or VO2max. A Borg rating of perceived exertion scale value of 12-16 is suggested as the training intensity in patients with atrial fibrillation, advanced disease, or who are using beta-blockers. The (HRrest) + 20-30 beats/min or the “talk test” should be used in the absence of exercise testing |
| Duration | Progress from 20-60 min/day. Multiple bouts of 10-min low-intensity activities are recommended for frail or deconditioned patients |
| Type | Treadmill walking, stationary cycling, upper or lower limbs ergometers, as tolerated |
HR, heart rate; HRrest, resting heart rate; max, maximal; VO2, oxygen uptake.