The purpose of this thesis investigation was to evaluate the effectiveness of dynamic strength training as an additional mode of exercise rehabilitation, in patients with coronary artery disease and well documented evidence of a previous myocardial infarction. The effects of 10 weeks (20 sessions) of combined weightlifting and aerobic training (WtAer) (n=10) were compared with aerobic training (Aer) (n=8) alone, on indices of strength and aerobic exercise capacity in 18 male patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Initial test(s) performance was similar between groups. Post Aer, the maximum weightlifting strength (1RM) in single-arm curl, single-leg press, and single-knee extension exercises increased by 13% (x = 11.8 to 13.3 kg; P < 0.01), 4% (x = 97 to 101 kg; N.S.), and 5% (x = 28.2 to 29.7 kg; N.S.) respectively; corresponding gains with AerWt were 43% (x = 12.2 to 17.4 kg; P < 0.01), 21% (x = 99 to 120 kg; P <0.01) , and 24% (x = 29 to 36 kg; P < 0.01) . Following Aer the initial 1RM could be lifted an average of 4 times, compared to 14 times after AerWt. Neither Aer nor AerWt showed significant improvements in peak torque in either isokinetic single-knee extension at 90°/s and 180°/s or single-leg press exercise at 30°/s and 75°/s. Maximum progressive incremental cycle ergometer performance (Wmax)increased by 2% with Aer (x = 1088 to 1113 kpm/min; N.S.) and by 15% (x = 1030 to 1180 kpm/min; P < 0.05) with AerWt.Cycling time at 80% of initial Wmax before attaining a Borg RPE of 7 for the legs, increased by 11% (x = 604 to 672s; N.S.) and by 109% (x = 541 to 1128s; P < 0.05) with Aer and AerWt respectively. In these patients with CAD, AerWt was a more effective method of increasing aerobic performance and strength than Aer alone. In order for cardiac exercise rehabilitation therapy to optimize the strength and functional capacities of CAD patients it may be useful to incorporate appropriately monitored weightlifting training into the traditional aerobic exercise regimen. / Thesis / Master of Science (MS)

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During inpatient rehabilitation, arm-ergometry training is utilized to improve the physical capacity of patients with a sub-acute spinal cord injury (SCI) to a level that is desirable for performing activities of daily living (ADLs). Previous work has demonstrated that ≥ 20 minutes of moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) during inpatient rehabilitation, at a frequency of ≥ 3 times per week, is useful for increasing the physical capacity of these patients. However, considering that inpatient rehabilitation is an intensive program, and given the trend towards a shortened length of stay during inpatient rehabilitation, performing MICT on the arm-ergometer can consume a valuable amount of therapy time. Low-volume sprint interval training (SIT) is a time-efficient alternative to MICT for improving indices of physical fitness in healthy and diseased populations. To date, however, there are no published studies comparing SIT to MICT in persons with sub-acute SCI undergoing inpatient rehabilitation.The purpose of this thesis was to evaluate the efficacy of a five-week, thrice weekly low-volume SIT protocol on the arm-ergometer and compare fitness outcomes to traditional MICT in patients with sub-acute SCI undergoing inpatient rehabilitation. Participants with sub-acute SCI undergoing inpatient rehabilitation were recruited and randomly allocated to the SIT or MICT training group. Both types of training utilized the same 2 min. warm-up and 3 min. cool-down. SIT consisted of 3 x 20 sec. “all-out” cycle sprints (≥ 100% of peak power output [POpeak]), interspersed with 2 min. of low activerecovery (≈ 10% of POpeak; total time commitment, 10 mins). MICT involved 20 min. of arm cycling (45 – 60% of POpeak; total time commitment, 25 mins). SIT elicited a higher relativheart rate response, and ratings of perceived exertion than MICT. Following training, we found similar improvements in maximal and sub-maximal physical capacity across groups. Both exercise modes were equally well tolerated, and enjoyable, and there were no differences in self-efficacy across groups. The significance of this work is that it is the first randomized-controlled trial comparing SIT to MICT on the arm-ergometer in individuals with sub-acute SCI undergoing inpatient rehabilitation. The fact that SIT is palatable and can promote similar increases in physical capacity as MICT, despite less than half the time commitment and training volume, means that clinical rehabilitation specialists can now offer a new, more time-efficient, exercise training strategy to elicit improvements in their patients. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)