Physical activity and sedentary behaviour following combined aerobic and resistance training in coronary artery disease patients: A randomised controlled trial

Background: Effective training modalities and potential determinants to induce favourable changes in physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) remains elusive in patients with coronary artery disease. Aims: This study aimed to investigate the effects of high-load resistance training and low-load RT combined with aerobic training in comparison to aerobic training alone on PA and SB, and whether baseline level of SB modifies PA outcomes in coronary artery disease patients. Methods: We randomised 79 patients to aerobic training, low-load resistance training and aerobic training or high-load resistance training and aerobic training. PA and SB were measured using triaxial accelerometer at baseline and post-training for 8 days. Results: There was no difference between training modalities in post-training PA and SB. When stratified by baseline SB, the very sedentary patients improved SB (-52 min/day, p = 0.001) and light intensity PA (+27 min/ day, p = 0.009) following intervention. The improvement in PA was greater in the very sedentary patients (SB: +27%, p = 0.002; light intensity PA: +24%, p = 0.004) and in sedentary patients (SB: +24%, p = 0.009) compared to the very active patients. Conclusions: Post-training improvement in PA and SB was determined by baseline SB, while the addition of low-load or high-load resistance training provided no further benefits in coronary artery disease patients.