Question

What are the recommendations for progressing the duration of the aerobic conditioning phase for patients with cardiovascular disease in outpatient rehabilitation?

A) Gradually increase duration by 5-10 minutes every week, with a focus on high-intensity intervals.

B) Maintain a constant duration throughout the rehabilitation period to avoid overexertion.

C) Progress duration based on individual tolerance, increasing by 5-10 minutes every 1-2 weeks, and emphasizing a steady, moderate intensity.

D) Rapidly increase duration to challenge cardiovascular fitness, regardless of individual tolerance, to expedite recovery.

Answer 1

For patients with cardiovascular disease in outpatient rehabilitation, duration of aerobic conditioning should be individually tailored, with a recommended increase of 5-10 minutes every 1-2 weeks at a moderate intensity. This ensures safety and individual tolerance are taken into account, optimizing cardiovascular health benefits without overexertion.

Step-by-step explanation:

The appropriate recommendation for progressing the duration of the aerobic conditioning phase for patients with cardiovascular disease in outpatient rehabilitation is to progress duration based on individual tolerance, increasing by 5-10 minutes every 1-2 weeks, while emphasizing a steady, moderate intensity. This strategy focuses on gradual improvement to ensure that patients do not overexert themselves. It takes into account that different patients may have varying capacities for exercise, and thus progression should be individualized. Moderate intensity activities ensure that a patient can continue to converse but may not be able to sing, which is a good indicator of appropriate exercise intensity.

Engaging regularly in aerobic exercises such as cycling, brisk walking, and other low-to-moderate intensity activities helps in making the heart muscle stronger and improving cardiovascular endurance. However, it is essential to monitor heart rates to maintain them within the target heart rate range to ensure the heart and lungs derive maximum benefit from the aerobic workout.