The effect of hydraulic circuit training (HCT) on stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (Qc), aerobic power (peak VO2), and muscular strength and endurance was evaluated in 24 post-coronary artery bypass (CABS) patients (mean age 52.8 +/- 2.6 yr). All assessments other than muscular strength and endurance were based upon a symptom limited graded exercise test on a bicycle ergometer. Muscular strength and endurance were assessed on a Cybex II isokinetic dynamometer. Sixteen patients were assigned randomly to 8 wk of cycle training or HCT (N = 8 in each). Subjects assigned to cycle training exercised on bicycle ergometers. The HCT group exercised on a three-station circuit, completing three circuits per day. Each circuit consisted of three 20 s work intervals at each station with a 1:1 work:rest ratio. Results from the training groups were compared with results from eight patients who served as a nonexercising control group. Following training the peak VO2 was significantly increased in the training groups (20% and 11% for the cycle and HCT groups, respectively; p < 0.05). For both training groups, the increase in peak VO2 was associated with increases in SV and Qc and a reduction in heart rate (HR) at submaximal levels of exercise (p < 0.05). Only the HCT group demonstrated an increase in both muscular strength and endurance during knee and shoulder exercises (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that a program of HCT can elicit improvements in cardiovascular fitness and muscular strength and endurance in post-CABS patients.

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