The composite CVD risk score decreased (improved) in the aerobic exercise group and the combined exercise group — but not the resistance exercise group — compared to the control group. Furthermore, the composite CVD risk score decreased more in the aerobic and combined exercise groups than in the resistance exercise group.

Each composite risk factor was also assessed independently. Body fat percentage decreased in the resistance exercise group (−0.9%), the aerobic exercise group (−1%), and the combined exercise group (−1%), compared to the control group. Changes in systolic blood pressure, waist circumference, and LDL cholesterol were not statistically significant compared to those in the control group, although some changes were significant compared to baseline.

The effects of aerobic, resistance, and combined exercise on CVD risk factors and composite CVD risk

In terms of other CVD risk factors, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol increased in all of the exercise groups compared to the control group, body weight decreased in the aerobic exercise group (−1.3 kg or 2.9 lb), waist circumference decreased in the aerobic exercise (−1.9 cm) and combined exercise groups (−2.2 cm), and lean body mass increased in the resistance exercise group (+1.2 kg or 2.6 lb).

CRF (i.e., VO₂peak) increased in the resistance exercise (+1.3 mL/kg/min), aerobic exercise (+3.5 mL/kg/min), and combined exercise groups (+2.7 mL/kg/min), but the increase in CRF was greater in the aerobic and combined exercise groups compared to the resistance exercise group. Upper body (chest press) and lower body (leg press) maximal strength increased in the resistance exercise group by +11.3 kg/24.9 lb and +20.3 kg/44.7 lb, respectively, and in the combined exercise groups by +7.3 kg/16.1 lb and +9.8 kg/21.6 lb, respectively, compared to the control group. Improvements were larger in the resistance exercise group than in the combined group.

Is aerobic exercise, resistance exercise, or a combination best for reducing cardiovascular disease risk? Original paper