Saunders, M. J., Flohr, J. A., & Todd, M. K. (2002). A comparison of the benefits of cardioresistance training versus cardiovascular and resistance training. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 34(5), Supplement abstract 147.

Cardioresistance training combines aerobic and resistance training in the same workout. That form of programming was compared to the effects of discrete aerobic and resistance training sessions. Training consisted of 40 minutes per day, three times per week, for 12 weeks.

Cardioresistance trainers improved significantly in the chest and leg press exercises, but not VO2max. The resistance trained group improved similarly. The aerobic group improved in both strength exercises and VO2max. VO2max improvements in the cardioresistance and aerobic groups were not significantly different.

Implication. Cardioresistance training will produce benefits similar to separate resistance and aerobic training sessions. The savings in organizational and workout times might make this form of combined training attractive to some individuals.

Return to Table of Contents for this issue.