Physical activity intervention for elderly patients with reduced physical performance after acute coronary syndrome (HULK study): rationale and design of a randomized clinical trial

Table 2 Experimental group: physical activity intervention

Inclusion visit (T1)	Home-based program	Following activity sessions (60 ± 10, 90 ± 10 and 120 ± 10 days after T0)
Pre-test: • measure of blood pressure • positioning RS100 Polar heart rate monitor to constantly evaluate heart rate • Calisthenics exercises	• 30 to 60 min of continuous moderate walking a day, at least 3 to 4 and preferably 7 days a week • Calisthenics exercises^b	Pre-test: • Measure of blood pressure • Positioning RS100 Polar heart rate monitor to constantly evaluate heart rate. • Evaluation of data recorded by accelerometer. • Calisthenics exercises^b
Start: walking on the level at 2.0 km/h		Start: walking at an updated intensity estabilished according to reached results in the previous activity session
Every 30 s: increases of 0.3 km/h up to reach a walking speed corresponding to a perceived exertion of 11–13 on the Borg scale for 1 km^a.		Every 30 s: increases of 0.3 km/h up to reach a walking speed corresponding to a perceived exertion of 11–13 on the Borg scale for 1 km^a.
Post-test: • Measure of blood pressure. • Counselling on physical activity and daily activities, such as gardening, or household work. • Distribution of home accelerometer		Post-test: • Measure of blood pressure • Counselling on physical activity and daily activities, such as gardening, or household work. • Distribution of home accelerometer

^aSubjects walking at a perceived moderate speed < 3.0 km/h will perform the test over the distance of 500-m. At the end of the test the averaged walking speed will be calculated
^bdetailed description in the Additional file 2

ISSN: 1471-2261