Exercise training improves overall physical fitness and quality of life in older women with coronary artery disease.
BACKGROUND
Older women with coronary artery disease (CAD) have reduced peak aerobic power (Vo(2)peak), muscle strength, and quality of life (QOL). Exercise interventions that can improve Vo(2)peak and muscle strength may also result in an improvement in QOL. This study compared the effect of aerobic training (AT) or combined aerobic and strength training (COMT) on Vo(2)peak, distance walked in 6 min, upper- and lower-extremity maximal strength, and QOL in 18 women (age range, 60 to 80 years) with documented CAD.


METHODS
After baseline testing, subjects were randomly assigned to AT (treadmill and cycle exercise, n = 9) or COMT (treadmill and cycle exercise plus upper- and lower-extremity strength training, n = 9), and each group exercised 3 d/wk for 8 weeks.


RESULTS
Both AT and COMT resulted in a similar increase in Vo(2)peak, distance walked in 6 min, lower-extremity strength, and emotional and global QOL. COMT improved upper-extremity strength, and physical and social QOL, which was unchanged after AT.


CONCLUSIONS
Older women with CAD should perform aerobic and strength training to attain optimal improvements in overall physical fitness and QOL.
Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, 2-50 Corbett Hall, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G 2G4.
Chihya
C
Hung
Bill
B
Daub
Bill
B
Black
Robert
R
Welsh
Arthur
A
Quinney
Mark
M
Haykowsky
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010807:Physical Endurance; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life