Home versus group exercise training for increasing functional capacity after myocardial infarction.

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Abstract
To evaluate the efficacy of exercise training for increasing functional capacity in the 6 mo. after clinically uncomplicated myocardial infarction, 198 men 52 .+-. 9 yr of age participated in a training study. They were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 exercise protocols: 8-26 wk of training at home (group 1, n = 66) or in a group program (grup 2, n = 61) following treadmill testing performed 3 wk after infarction, treadmill testing at 3 wk without subsequent training (group 3, n = 34), and treadmill testing for the 1st time at 26 wk (control, n = 37). At 26 wk functional capacity was significantly higher in patients training at home or in a group program than that in patients without training or in control patients: 8.1 .+-. 1.5, 8.5 .+-. 1.3, 7.5 .+-. 1.8 and 7.0 .+-. 1.7 MET, respectively (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001). No significant differences in functional capacity were noted between patients training at home and those in a group program. No training-related complications occurred. Home and group training are equally effective in increasing functional capacity of low-risk patients after myocardial infarction.