Heart rate responses during isometric exercises in patients undergoing a phase III cardiac rehabilitation program.

Background: the magnitude of cardiovascular responses is dependent on the static and dynamic components as well as the duration and intensity of the contraction performed.

Objective: to evaluate the heart rate responses to different percentages of isometric contractions in 12 patients (63 ± 11.6 years) with coronary artery disease and/or risk factors for coronary artery disease that were participating in a phase III cardiac rehabilitation program.