OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy of cardiovascular training (CT) with resistance training (RT) in improving the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and physical function of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHOD: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with participants randomly allocated to either a CT (n = 21), RT (n = 21), or control group (n = 21). The outcomes assessed were: HRQoL using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), severity of depression using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), disease activity using the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), and aerobic capacity using a 12-minute walk test (T12). RESULTS: Sixty-three patients (61 women and two men), aged 42.9 +/- 14.4 years, with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 28.7 +/- 10.6 kg/m2, disease duration of 3.8 +/- 3.3 years, and not physically active participated in the study. HRQoL improved for both exercise groups but was superior in the RT group. There was no significant difference in physical function between the intervention groups, except for aerobic capacity. Neither training programme was associated with a change in disease activity. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise intervention proved to be better than not exercising. CT was better than RT in improving HRQoL.

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