Table 6.

Exercise Prescription for Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

Training Parameter	Recommendation
Aerobic or Cardiorespiratory
Type of activity	Aerobic, dynamic such as walking or cycling
Intensity	Rhythm = AF  • RPE of 11–14 on Borg 6–20 scale  • Talk Test; fastest pace, while still being able to comfortably carry-on a conversation Rhythm = Sinus  • 55% to 80% of HRRa
Frequency of sessions/wkb	3–5; most, if not all, days of the wk
Duration/sessionb	30–60 min
Muscular Strength and Endurancec
Type of activity	Higher repetition, lower resistance muscle specific exercises using fixed weight machines and hand-held weights for 4–6 primary muscle groups; avoid free-weights
Intensity	50%–70% of 1 repetition maximum for lifts involving the hips and lower body; 40%–70% of 1 repetition maximum for lifts involving the upper body.
Frequency	1–2 d/wk; 1–2 sets/d for each muscle group or lift; 10–15 repetitions/set
Duration	Total time = 12–20 min; contraction speed = 6 sec (3 sec concentric and 3 sec eccentric); rest to work ratio ≥2 to 1

Abbreviations: AF, atrial fibrillation; HRR, heart rate reserve; RPE, ratings of perceived exertion.

^aHRR computed as (measured peak heart rate – seated resting heart rate) x percent training level (expressed as a decimal) + seated resting heart rate.

^bTarget amount = 150 min/wk.

^cNo definitive, disease-specific guidelines currently exist for prescribing resistance training to patients with atrial fibrillation. In the absence of such, training methods advanced for healthy individuals or patients with cardiovascular diseases could be adapted and considered.^16,38,46