Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2026

A Novel Digital Platform for a Monitored Home-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
Published on: April 19, 2019
Resistance training dose response in combined endurance-resistance training in patients with cardiovascular disease:
Robert Berent1, Serge P von Duvillard, Stephen F Crouse
1Center for Cardiovascular Rehabilitation, Bad Schallerbach, Austria.
Objective:
To compare the effectiveness of 2 different volumes of resistance training (RT) combined with aerobic training in residential cardiac rehabilitation (CR).
Design:
Randomized prospective cohort study.
Setting:
Center for inpatient CR.
Participants:
Patients (N=295) with a mean age ± SD of 62.7±11.7 years participated in the study.
Interventions:
Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups (group 1 and group 2) with different volumes of RT; 2 sets × 12 repetitions (REPS) (group 1) and 3 sets × 15 REPS (group 2) per session, 2 times per week; each RT session consisting of 10 different resistance exercises. In addition, patients also completed continuous moderate intensity aerobic training composed of cycle ergometry 6 times per week for 17±4 minutes (mean ± SD) and walking 5 times per week for 45 minutes.
Main Outcome Measures:
At entry and after 26±4 (mean ± SD) days of CR, blood pressure, heart rate, maximal oxygen consumption, and maximal power determined during cycle ergometry, strength determined via RT, and blood biochemistries were assessed. Data were analyzed via a 2-way (group × time) repeated measures analysis of variance.
Results:
Statistical analysis revealed equivalent improvements in exercise capacity, muscular strength, hemodynamics, and blood chemistries regardless of RT volume (comparison-wise type I error rate, α<.01).
Conclusions:
Our results show that nearly doubling (3 sets × 15 REPS vs 2 sets × 12 REPS) the volume of RT as part of a residential CR program does not yield further improvement in strength and cardiovascular risk factors.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Exercise and Cardiac Output
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be met...
Exercise and Muscle Performance
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
Heart Failure V: Medical Management
Heart Failure Drugs: β-Blockers
Drug Dosing: Obese Patients

