*4.3. Exercise Prescription Formula*

Exercise training parameters should adhere to the FITT-VP principle: frequency, intensity, time (duration), type, volume (total amount), and progression as presented in Table 24 [12].


**Table 24.** The FITT-VP principle of exercise prescription [12].

Source: Adapted from [12].

Frequency

Physical activity is recommended on most days of a week.

Intensity

The exercise intensity should ideally be determined from the cardiopulmonary exercise testing with relation to ventilatory or lactate thresholds [15]. Suggested exercise intensity domains based on the CPET parameters and potential method limitations considering recent studies are described in a separate chapter. As the availability of cardiopulmonary gas analysis in cardiac rehabilitation centers is still limited, alternative methods of exercise intensity determination have been recommended.

These are based on [16]:


Reserve calculations—i.e., heart rate reserve or MET reserve—are utilized for precise exercise intensity prescription and provide the patient's resting values [17]. Therefore, these methods may be more appropriate for use in patients with chronotropic incompetence [18].

### Time

The goal for aerobic training duration is 30–60 min of the conditioning phase, plus a few minutes of warm-up and cool-down.
