Effect of different physical training modalities on peak oxygen consumptions in post-acute myocardial infarction patients: systematic review and meta-analysis

Physical training can increase peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) in people who have suffered acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, there is still a gap in the literature in relation to the effectiveness of different types of interventions. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of different physical training modalities on VO2peak in post-AMI patients. The following databases were used: PubMed (MEDLINE), Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Pedro. Studies that evaluated aerobic exercise, strength exercise, or combined exercise were included. Six studies met eligibility criteria. Aerobic exercise increased VO2peak by 6.07 ml.kg(-1).min(-1) when compared to the control group (CG) (p = 0.013). The comparison between combined exercise and control group detected a difference of 1.84 ml.kg(-1).min(-1), but this was not significant (p = 0.312). We therefore conclude that aerobic exercise is the only modality that is effective for increasing VO2peak compared to a control group.