Table 1.

Description of intervention and usual care groups

	Progressive moderate-intensity CV training	Low intensity ‘standard care’ exercise
Frequency	2/week Clinic-based supervised sessions 3/week home exercise program	2/week Clinic-based supervised sessions 3/week home exercise program
Training duration	Target duration: 30 min Commenced at 5 to 10 min. Progressed each session (as tolerated) until 30 min. (10 min bouts with rest breaks allowed as required)	Weeks 1–4: 10 min duration Weeks 5–8: 20 min Weeks 9–12: 30 min (actual exercise time, not including rest breaks and set-up)
Training intensity	Moderate intensity (40–59% HRR) calculated each session using Karvonen method: Target Heart Rate = (Heart Rate Reserve x %intensity (VO2)) + Heart Rate rest Intensity commenced at 40% HRR IF target duration achieved, intensity progressed by 5% increments as tolerated. BORG-RPE 11–13.	Low intensity < 40% HRR BORG RPE < 11 40% HRR calculated each session using Karvonen formula
Program length	12 weeks	12 weeks
Training mode	Upright stationary cycle ergometer; recumbent bike; treadmill; upper limb ergometer; stepper; cross-trainer; stairs.	Upright stationary cycle ergometer (maximum 5 min per session), walking in rails or gym, standing balance, basic strengthening (slow squats, seated quadriceps extension) and bed-based exercises.
Delivery mode	Face to face individual or small group session (maximum 3 participants)	Face to face individual or small group session (maximum 3 participants)
Location	Physiotherapy gym in a community rehabilitation service (outpatient) of tertiary metropolitan hospital	Physiotherapy gym in a community rehabilitation service (outpatient) of tertiary metropolitan hospital
Home exercise program	3 sessions/week once safe to self-monitor Parameters matched supervised sessions	3 sessions/week once safe to self-monitor Parameters matched supervised sessions

CV Cardiovascular, BORG-RPE Borg Rate of Perceived Exertion, VO₂ Oxygen consumption