Recently researchers compared the benefits of gym-based and water-based exercise in this clinical population. Fifty-two people with CHD were randomly allocated to twelve weeks of:
- Three one-hour sessions per week of moderate intensity water-based circuit training exercise with alternating aerobic and resistance stations;
- Three 1-hour sessions per week of moderate intensity gym-based circuit training exercise; or
- Continuing usual activities (control).
Both training groups significantly improved their aerobic fitness, leg strength, and total body fat. Gym exercise was better at improving one measure of upper limb strength, but otherwise the benefits were similar in magnitude in the two training groups.
This supports the expansion of exercise prescription options for people with stable CHD to include water-based exercise, which may be useful for adding a low joint-impact exercise option to facilitate exercise engagement.
> From: Scheer, J Physiother 67 (2021) 284-290 . All rights reserved to Australian Physiotherapy Association. Click here for the online summary.
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