Resistance Training for Older Adults in Cardiac Rehabilitation

Clin Geriatr Med. 2019 Nov;35(4):459-468. doi: 10.1016/j.cger.2019.07.005. Epub 2019 Jul 3.

Abstract

Cardiac rehabilitation plays a key role in the care of older patients after a coronary event. Hospitalizations are prevented and quality of life, exercise capacity, and physical function are improved. Almost 50% of cardiac rehabilitation participants are older adults (>65 years), many of whom are frail or deconditioned. Resistance training, as a component of cardiac rehabilitation, improves muscle strength, endurance, and physical function. The purpose of this review is to describe the effects of resistance training in cardiac rehabilitation for older adults with a particular focus on physical function.

Keywords: Aging; Cardiac rehabilitation; Older adults; Physical function; Resistance training; Strength training.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cardiac Rehabilitation / methods*
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Exercise Therapy / methods
  • Frail Elderly
  • Frailty / diagnosis
  • Frailty / rehabilitation*
  • Geriatric Assessment / methods*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Muscle Strength / physiology
  • Physical Fitness / physiology
  • Quality of Life*
  • Resistance Training / methods*
  • Sarcopenia / diagnosis
  • Sarcopenia / rehabilitation