Resistance Training for Older Adults in Cardiac Rehabilitation.

Cardiac rehabilitation plays a key role in the care of older patients after a coronary event. Hospitalizations are prevented and quality of life, exercise capacity, and physical function are improved. Almost 50% of cardiac rehabilitation participants are older adults (>65 years), many of whom are frail or deconditioned. Resistance training, as a component of cardiac rehabilitation, improves muscle strength, endurance, and physical function. The purpose of this review is to describe the effects of resistance training in cardiac rehabilitation for older adults with a particular focus on physical function.