Multicomponent versus aerobic exercise intervention: Effects on hemodynamic, physical fitness and quality of life in adult and elderly cardiovascular disease patients: A randomized controlled study

Objective: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain a leading cause of mortality globally, emphasizing the need for effective preventive measures. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a multicomponent compared to an aerobic training program on the hemodynamic parameters, physical fitness, psychophysical health status and quality of life (QoL) of adults and elderly with stabilized CVDs. Methods: Thirty-three subjects (19M and 14F; age 69.5 ± 4.9 years; BMI 27.34 ± 4.95 kg/m2) suffering from CVDs voluntarily participated in this 10-week randomized controlled study and were allocated into three groups: multicomponent training group (MTG; 6M, 6F; cardiorespiratory, resistance, flexibility and breathing exercises; 60’, 2d·wk-1), aerobic training group (ATG; 7M, 5F; aerobic-only training; 60’, 2d·wk-1) or a wait-list control group (CG; 6M, 3F; no PA). Hemodynamic parameters were assessed through resting hearth rate (RHR) and peripheral- systolic and diastolic blood pressure (P-SBP/P-DBP). Physical fitness was assessed via a 30” chair stand test (30CST), timed up and go (TUG) test, handgrip strength (HGS) test, and 2’ step test (TMST). The health status, QoL and enjoyment were evaluated with short form-12 (SF-12), world health organization quality of life-bref (WHOQoL-bref) and physical activity enjoyment scale (PACES), respectively. Results: After the intervention, MTG showed significant improvements in hemodynamic parameters (95% CI, RHR: 2.76 to 9.07; P-SBP: 3.28 to 13.71; P-DBP: 3.56 to 8.94; p<0.001), physical fitness (95% CI, 30CST: -4.42 to -1.90; TUG: 0.56 to 1.58; TMST: -35.24 to -18.58; Dominant HGS: -4.00 to -1.65; Undominant HGS: -2.87 to -0.79, p<0.001) and enjoyment (PACES: -15.18 to -5.48, p<0.001) compared to CG; ATG showed significant improvement in hemodynamic parameters (95% CI, RHR: 1.76 to 8.07; P-SBP: 3.19 to 13.63; P-DBP: 4.47 to 9.85, p<0.001), physical fitness (95% CI, 30CST: -2.59 to -0.07; TUG: 0.03 to 1.05; Dominant HGS: -2.42 to -0.07, p<0.05; TMST: -36.08 to -19.41, p<0.001) and enjoyment (PACES: -14.68 to -4.98, p<0.001) compared to CG. No significant changes were observed in QoL and SF-12 (p>0.05). Significant differences between MTG and ATG were only found in physical fitness variables (95% CI, 30CST: -3.21 to -0.45, p<0.01; Dominant HGS: 0.00 to 3.00, p<0.05). Conclusions: Findings showed significant improvements in hemodynamic parameters and physical fitness suggesting the effectiveness of the multicomponent exercise program, similar to aerobic-only training, and greater efficacy for lower limb strength and dominant hand grip strength in adults and elderly with stabilized CVDs. Both exercise groups showed similar levels of enjoyment.