Annals of Applied Sport Science

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an 8 week period of aerobic interval training and massage therapy on changes in C-reactive protein (CRP) level and cardiorespiratory fitness in cardiovascular patients after coronary artery bypass graft. The study population consisted of patients who had undergone a coronary artery bypass graft and at least one month had passed since their surgery. 60 patients met the study inclusion criteria and were willing to cooperate; they were divided randomly into three groups (n = 20) as follows; interval, massage therapy and a control. Subjects in groups taking interval training and massage therapy were administered three sessions per week for eight weeks. 48 hours before and after eight weeks of exercise, subjects were measured for peak oxygen consumption and blood samples were taken. Results of the present study show that 8-week programs of regular exercise and massage therapy resulted in significant reduction of CRP of 42% and 25% respectively (P<0.05). Peak oxygen consumption values after eight weeks of regular exercise showed a significant increase (22% in interval exercise and 17% in massage therapy (P<0.05). In general, these findings show that 8-week programs of aerobic interval training and massage therapy significantly reduced serum CRP value and caused a significant increase in peak oxygen consumption in patients with coronary artery bypass graft. These changes can be effective for prevention of sudden death and cardiovascular problems after bypass surgery. Also, interval training was more effective on reducing CRP and increasing peak oxygen consumption than massage therapy.