Abstract

summary

Many phase II cardiac rehabilitation patients suffer from general musculoskeletal weakness and atrophy caused by inactivity associated with recovery, sedentary lifestyle, or old age. As a result, patients often lack the capacity or the confidence to perform everyday living tasks, and so their psychological and emotional well-being frequently suffers. The addition of resistance training to usual-care, cardiovascular-only programs offers solutions to these problems, problems that are not effectively addressed by usual-care programs alone.

Jeremy Spencer is the Fitness Coordinator and an exercise specialist at the Hopedale Wellness Center in Hopedale, Illinois.

© 2007 National Strength and Conditioning Association