Modest Effects of Exercise Training Alone on Coronary Risk Factors and Body Composition in Coronary Patients

Abstract

Exercise conditioning alone resulted in relatively modest risk factor improvements in coronary patients after 3 months. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol measures increased by 3 +/- 8 mg/dL (8%). Patients with baseline triglyceride elevations experienced a 22% decrease. On the other hand, there were no overall effects on body weight, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, or insulin levels. For most patients, exercise effects were minimal and nutritional and medical therapy will need to be used more aggressively to attain nationally recognized risk factor goals.