Table 3.
Moderate continuous aerobic endurance training (MCT): training parameters for exercise recommendations and exercise training control [4,5,7,8,38].
| Parameter for Exercise Recommendations and Control | Recommendation Ranges | |
|---|---|---|
| Cycle Ergometer Test | Low to Moderate Intensity | Moderate to High Intensity |
| Percentage of peak heart rate achieved (% HRpeak) | 65–75% HRpeak | 75–85% HRpeak |
| Percentage pf peak heart rate reserve 1 achieved (% HRRpeak) | 40–60% HRRpeak | 60–70% HHRpeak |
| Exercise work load based on percentage of peak work load achieved in cycle ergometer test (wattpeak) | 40–60% wattpeak | 60–80% wattpeak |
| Cardiopulmonary exercise testing 2 | ||
| Percentage of peak oxygen uptake achieved (% VO2peak) | 40–60% VO2peak | 60–80% VO2peak |
| Ventilatory threshold (VT1), respiratory compensation point (VT2) | from VT1 (55–70% VO2peak) |
up to below VT2 (70–80% VO2peak) |
| Other parameters for exercise control 3 | ||
| Borg scale (6–20) for rating perceived exertion (RPE) | 12–14 RPE | >15 RPE |
| Respiratory rate “speech rule” 4 | the breathing during exercise should allow conversation | |
| Recommended exercise duration | from >5 up to 60 min | |
| Recommended exercise frequency | 3–5 (7) days a week/most day of the week | |
1 Calculation of the target exercise heart rate according to the Karvonen formula: Calculation example: target exercise intensity 40% of heart rate reserve; resting heart rate: 60 beats/min; peak heart rate achieved during exercise test = 120 beats/min; Target exercise heart rate = 60 + (120 − 60) × 0.4 = 84 beats/min. 2 Cardiopulmonary exercise testing: recommended especially in patients with chronic heart failure and congenital heart diseases. 3 in addition to other parameters, or when heart rate cannot be used for control (e.g., after heart transplantation, or VAD implantation). 4 Speech rule = moderate exertion should be performed without dyspnoea so that conversation is easily possible.