Clinical impact of a structured exercise-training program in a sample of North African male patients with stable angina: A pilot study

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Published Mar 10, 2026
https://doi.org/10.62438/tunismed.v104i01.6355
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Vol. 104 No. 01 (2026): Tunis Med Jan 2026

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Imen Bouhlel
Department of cardiology, Research Laboratory “Heart Failure” LR12SP09, Farhat Hached Hospital, Faculty of medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Tunisia
Dorra Darragi
Laboratory of physiology, Faculty of medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Tunisia
Karim Ben Ayed
Laboratory of physiology, Faculty of medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Tunisia
Safa Dardouri
Department of cardiology, Sahloul hospital, Sousse, Tunisia
Oussama Ben Rejeb
Department of cardiology, Farhat Hached hospital, Sousse, Tunisia
Helmi Ben Saad
Department of physiology and functional explorations, Laboratory of physiology, Research Laboratory “Heart Failure” LR12SP09, Farhat Hached Hospital, Faculty of medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Tunisia
Imed Latiri
Laboratory of physiology, Research Laboratory “Heart Failure” LR12SP09, Farhat Hached Hospital, Faculty of medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse, Tunisia

Abstract

Introduction : No previous Tunisian or North African study, till September 2025, haveevaluated the value and necessity of an exercise-training program (ETP) as crucial therapeutic strategies for patients with stable coronary artery disorders. The main aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of an ETP on exercise data determined during the 6-min walk test (6MWT) and treadmill stress test in patients with stable angina.


Methods :This prospective experimental pilot study was carried out at Farhat Hached cardiology, and physiology and functional explorations departments (Sousse, Tunisia). Eleven males who had stable angina for longer than three months were included in the study. The Karvonen formula was used to establish the intensity of the ETP, which included 24 sessions of combined endurance and resistance training (three sessions per week for eight weeks). Physical fitness data determined during the 6MWT and treadmill stress test were evaluated pre- and post- ETP.


Results : When comparing pre- and post-ETP assessments, there were significant changes in i)6-min walk distance (+ 61m), resting heart rate (-9 bpm), and end walk systolic blood pressure (+ 4.25 mmHg) determined during the 6MWT, and ii) maximal heart rate (+9 bpm), speed (+ 1.41 km/h), elevation of the treadmill slope (+ 2.25%), and bearing (+ 0.91) determined during the treadmill stress test.


Conclusion : Patients with stable angina were able to exercise more effectively thanks to ETP.

Keywords:

6MWD, Blood Pressure, Cardiac Rehabilitation, Coronary Angiography, Exercise capacity, Exercise Tolerance, Physical Fitness, Prospective Studies

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