Manual of physical exercises for ischemic heart patients

Abstract

In recent years, in some communities in Santiago de Cuba, a certain apathy has been observed among ischemic heart patients regarding physical exercise, little demand from family members to attend sports complexes and elders' clubs regularly, and some limitations in the roles that Physical Education teachers and cardiologists must play in this task. Thus, the need arose to conduct a research to delve deeper into the aspects related to this reality, which aimed to develop a manual of physical exercises for Ischemic Heart Patients based on a theoretical concept of preventive, care-giving, and health-related nature. The general objective of the manual was to offer a system of actions that would contribute to the physical preparation of heart patients for their reincorporation into society and to elevate the professional role of Physical Education teachers. The manual also has specific objectives that specify more concrete aspects of what it addresses. For its development, application and evaluation, the theoretical methods used were analysis-synthesis, induction-deduction and systemic-structural-functional, as well as empirical methods such as observation and documentary analysis, in addition to survey and interview techniques. Statistical-mathematical methods of percentage analysis and processing of tables and graphs were also implemented. The evaluation of the specialists on the manual was favorable and they showed their criteria about its relevance.