Microvascular Dysfunction in Adults with Congenital Heart Disease and the Effect of Exercise Training

Each participant received a personalized rehabilitation schedule combining aerobic interval cycle training and a dynamic strength exercise program, developed to ensure that the participants met the physical activity guidelines. For the aerobic training, the patients cycled for 30-45 minutes on an exercise bike at home 3 times a week. During each training session, the heart rate (HR) was continuously recorded using a chest strap and displayed in a smartphone application. The target HR zones were predefined with alternating intervals of intensive and extensive aerobic training. The program followed a progressive structure with the objective of completing 40 minutes of intensive aerobic training after 16 weeks. In the strength training program, 4 dynamic exercises targeting major muscle groups were performed 3 times a week. Every 2 weeks, these exercises were intensified by altering the starting position or adding extra weight.