12 weeks of single-leg cycling in individuals with coronary artery disease

Participants with stable heart disease will be randomised to one of two exercise groups involving 12 weeks of different forms of cycling. One group will undertake single-leg high intensity interval cycle training and the second group will undertake double-leg high intensity interval cycle training. All exercise intensities will be prescribed according to a predetermined level of perceived exertion, using the Borg 6-20 rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale, which is associated with a desired percent of aerobic capacity (VO2peak). Each session will begin and end with a 5 minute double-leg cycling based warm-up (intensity; RPE 11-13, 40-60% VO2peak) and cool down (intensity; RPE 8-10, 20-40% VO2peak), followed by a 20 minute resistance circuit, as is standard practice in cardiac rehabilitation programs. During the double-leg high intensity interval sessions, the participant will complete ten 30 second double-leg efforts at an RPE 15-17 (60-85% VO2peak) with each effort separated by 60 seconds of passive rest (RPE 6; <20% VO2peak). During the single-leg high intensity interval sessions, participants will complete ten 30 second single-leg efforts at an RPE of 15-17 with each effort separated by 60 seconds of passive rest (RPE 6). At the completion of the first ten efforts, a short break will be provided (~5 minutes) prior to the participant completing another ten efforts with the opposite leg. 3 sessions per week will be prescribed and monitored by Miss Nicole Gordon, an ESSA Accredited Exercise Physiologist. Program adherence will be monitored through exercise logs.