Clinical & Experimental Cardiology
Open Access

Abstract

Effect of Combined Resistive and Aerobic Exercise versus Aerobic Exercise Alone on Coronary Risk Factors in Obese Coronary Patients

Hussein N, Thomas M, Prince D, Zohman L and Czojowski P

Objective: To study the effect of combined resistive and aerobic training versus aerobic training alone on coronary risk factors in obese coronary patients.

Design: Randomized clinical trial.

Setting: Outpatient setting.

Participants: 50 coronary artery disease patients completed the study and were randomized to group I aerobic exercise (n=25), and group II combined resistive and aerobic exercise (n=25).

Interventions: All patients had dietary counselling, stress management and aerobic exercise 3 times per week for 36 sessions. Group II added resistive exercise from the 18th session. All exercises were telemetry-monitored.

Results: Strength gains for group II were greater than for group I on the three resistance machines (P<0.01). Percent body fat was reduced for group II after training (P<0.01) with significant difference in between groups (P<0.01). The relative gain in lean mass was greater in group II (P=0.0006). Group II only had decreased cholesterol, triglyceride, and low density lipoprotein (P<0.05). High density lipoprotein significantly increased in both groups (P<0.05). All cardiovascular conditioning parameters significantly diminished in both groups after training (P<0.05). Group II had lower exercise systolic blood pressure (P<0.05) and relatively greater improvement in average work load (P=0.0000).

Conclusions: Combined resistive and aerobic training give better control of coronary risk factors particularly lipid profile and weight in obese coronary patients.