Menu

HomeHow it worksContact UsContact Us

Effect of Combined Aerobic and Resistance Training on Exercise Capacity, Muscle Strength, Quality of Life, and Mortality in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis.

Gois CO, Guimarães ALA, Conceição LSR, Gomes-Neto M, Carvalho VO. · Sports medicine - open · 2026

This review pooled randomized trials testing combined aerobic plus resistance training (CART) in people with coronary heart disease, looking at fitness (peak VO2, 6-minute walk), strength, quality of life, and death rates. Compared with usual non-exercise care, CART improved peak VO2, muscle strength measures, and quality of life and was linked to fewer deaths; it also outperformed aerobic-only training on fitness, walking distance, strength, and quality of life, and beat resistance-only training for peak VO2.
Takeaway: Combine aerobic and resistance training rather than doing either alone, especially in cardiac rehabilitation settings.
Abstract (source)

Background: CART (combined aerobic and resistance training) has shown important

Results: in exercise-based cardiovascular rehabilitation. However, there are little data concerning the effects of CART on the exercise capacity, muscle strength, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and mortality of coronary heart disease (CHD) patients. Therefore, the

Aim: of this study was to analyze the published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the effects of CART on exercise capacity [peak oxygen consumption (peak VO 2 ) and 6-min walking distance (6MWD)], muscle strength [1-repetition maximum (1-RM), peak torque and handgrip strength], HRQoL, and mortality in patients with CHD.

Methods: We search for references in MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and EMBASE databases to find RCTs that evaluated the effects of CART for CHD. Mean difference (MD), standardized mean difference (SMD), risk ratio (RR), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.

Results CART improved relative peak VO 2 of 2.20 ml/kg/min (P 2 by 0.28 (P 2 by 1.91 ml/kg/min (P

Conclusion: CART was efficient in improving peak VO 2 , peak torque, handgrip strength, HRQoL, and lower mortality events compared to non-exercising usual care in patients with CHD. CART appears superior to aerobic training in improving peak VO 2 , 6MWD, 1-RM, peak torque, and HRQoL in patients with CHD. Furthermore, CART was more effective than resistance training for peak VO 2 in patients with CHD. CART should be considered as a

Method: in the rehabilitation of patients with CHD.

Systematic review / meta-analysisResistance Training & HypertrophyEndurance & Cardiovascular
Read the original →

Related in Resistance Training & Hypertrophy

The Resistance Training Dose Response: Meta-Regressions Exploring the Effects of Weekly Volume and Frequency on Muscle Hypertrophy and Strength GainsEffects of Advanced Resistance Training Systems on Muscle Hypertrophy and Strength in Recreationally Trained Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisCreatine supplementation and resistance training: a comparison between novice and experienced lifters — a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysisComparison of different interval training methods on athletes' oxygen uptake: a systematic review with pairwise and network meta-analysisThe effects of velocity-based vs. percentage-based resistance training on sports performance in trained individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysisEffects of menstrual cycle phases on athletic performance and related physiological outcomes: a systematic review of studies using high methodological standards