The programme itself was not associated with a further improvement in muscular endurance and recovery of the knee extensor muscle, as measured by an isokinetic fatigue-test, than regular walking was. Aerobic group training of elderly patients recovering from an acute coronary event beneficially influences physical fitness and several parameters expressing quality of life, and can safely be performed in this age-cohort. Elderly coronary patients without earlier experience of physical activity seem to require participation in training programmes to be able to change exercise habits in a favourable way. It is therefore of great importance that also elderly patients with coronary heart disease have access to caediac rehabilitation programmes with exercise training. The improvement in health-related quality of life and exercise capacity does, however, not persist over time.
Great care has to be taken to preserve initial effects by continued training.