title: Effects of combined aerobic and resistance training versus aerobic training alone in cardiac rehabilitation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined the effects of performing combined resistance and aerobic training, versus aerobic training alone, in patients with coronary artery disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-six patients with coronary artery disease were randomized to either an aerobic-only training group (AE) or a combined aerobic and resistance training group (AE + R). Both groups performed 30 minutes of aerobic exercise 3 days/week for 6 months. In addition, AE + R group performed two sets of resistance exercise on seven different Nautilus machines after completion of aerobic training each day. Twenty patients (AE: n = 10; AE + R: n = 10) completed the training protocol with > 70% attendance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Strength gains for AE + R group were greater than for AE group on six of seven resistance machines (P < 0.05). VO2peak increased after training for both AE and AE + R (P < 0.01) with no difference in improvement between the groups. Resting and submaximal exercise heart rates and rate-pressure product were lower after training in the AE + R group (P < 0.01), but not in the AE group. AE + R increased lean mass in arm, trunk, and total body regions (P < 0.01), while AE increased lean mass in trunk region only (P < 0.01). Percent body fat was reduced for AE + R after training (P < 0.05) with a between group trend toward reduced body fat (P = 0.09). Lean mass gain significantly correlated with strength increase in five of seven resistance exercises for AE + R.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Resistance training adds to the effects of aerobic training in cardiac rehabilitation patients by improving muscular strength, increasing lean body mass, and reducing body fat.
authors: Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC, USA.
authors: L M
authors: LM
authors: Pierson
authors: W G
authors: WG
authors: Herbert
authors: H J
authors: HJ
authors: Norton
authors: G M
authors: GM
authors: Kiebzak
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Griffith
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Fedor
authors: W K
authors: WK
authors: Ramp
authors: J W
authors: JW
authors: Cook
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001823:Body Composition; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness