Medical Training Therapy (MTT)

Holistic Therapeutical Approach:
Balanced Muscle Strengthening and Power Training.

Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death in Western industrial nations.The proportion of prescription drugs for the treatment of these diseases amounts to app. 25 % of the health insurances' overall expenditure on pharmaceuticals.

In close cooperation with cardiologist and internal specialist MD Harald Lethen  we offer our patients a therapeutical concept which is unique in Germany: the combination of muscle strengthening under medical monitoring (MTT) (Dr. med. Florian Maria Alfen) and a cardiovascular training monitored by a specialist (Dr. med. Harald Lethen).

In general, physical activity and endurance training in particular are good for all patients at all ages.

Nevertheless it is important for every training to consider the individual state of health. Patients suffering from power limiting cardiovascular diseases should not just carry through power training.

In view of minimizing any risks and at the same time ensuring maximum success, a medical check-up should be carried through by a specialist before starting to train.

For only muscular strength combined with endurance will lead to an overall fitness of the body thus resulting in a higher quality of life.

Advantages of Cardiovascular Training
within MTT:

Cardiovascular, cardio, endurance or power training basically describe quite the same highly advantageous programme:

The Therapy: Step by Step

The Cardio Check-Up in Detail:

(All examinations are free of side-effects) 

• The heart: evaluation of the heart capacity - i.e. contraction power, thickness of the myocardium, functionality of the heart valves and size of the heart ventricles (by means of cardio-ultrasound / echocardiography). Existing congenital or acquired heart dysfunctionalities can be excluded or evaluated. 
• The circulatory system: Untersuchung der Blutzirkulation, Zustand des Gefäßsystems und Blutdruckregulation. Neben der sorgfältigen körperlichen Untersuchung wird ein Ruhe- und Belastungs-EKG sowie eine Blutdruck- und Sauerstoffmessung in Ruhe und Belastung durchgeführt.
• The lung: lung functionality and capcity are examined andtaken into consideration when planning the training units. Diseases (e.g. asthma or chronic bronchitis) can be diagnosed and evaulated. Furthermore, the oxygen level of the blood will be examined by means of a finger-pulse-oxymetre (without blood sample, via a small cap on the forefinger tip).
• The brain-supplying arteries: Calcification/arteriosklerosis of the brain-supplying arteries can easily be evaluated. From their status, conclusions can be made as to the state of the other vessels, especially the coronary vessels, thus enabling us to assess the risk of strokes or heart attacks. These brain-supplying arteries are examined by means of the so-called duplex sonography, a special ultrasound procedure.
• Heart capacity under stress: A direct functional test of the heart performance under stress by means of stress-echocardiography. That way, the capacity of the heart muscle under "working conditions" is tested. MD Harald Lethen is one of the inventors of this analytical method, giving much information about the functionalty of the coronary system and possible risks of heart attacks.
• General fitness/power test: Assessment of the general fitness on the threadmill. Athletes can undergo a lactate testing in order to define their endurance/power level (anaerobic threshold). The oxygen uptake can be checked and the maximum performance level can be defined. Training success is measured that way, too.

Further Information:

• If you want to learn more about Medical Strengthening therapy: We are there for you.
  
  
• Frequently asked questions about conservatie therapies.