Table 1

Description of the exercise and control group interventions and summary of the results from 18 randomised controlled studies on aerobic and/or strengthening exercises

Author, year, reference	Length and type of intervention	Frequency	Duration	Intensity	Cardiorespiratory fitness	Muscle strength	Pain	Activity limitation
van den Berg et al, 200621*	52 weeks (a) Internet-based, individualised muscle strengthening, ROM and cycling exercise (b) Internet-based, general information on aerobic, muscle strengthening and ROM exercise. Advice to engage in physical activity	5 times/week	30 min	Moderate to high	NR	NR	NR	0
Baslund et al, 199322	8 weeks (a) Progressive interval cycling (b) None	4–5 times/week	25 min	High	+	NR	NR	NR
Harkcom et al, 198523	12 weeks (a,b,c) Cycling (d) None	3 times/week	15, 25 and 35 min, respectively	Moderate	+	0	+	NR
Minor et al, 198924	12 weeks (a) Aerobic aquatics, (b) Progressive aerobic walking (c) ROM exercises	3 times/week	60 min	Moderate to high	+	+ within group 0 between groups	0	NR
Neuberger et al, 200725	12 weeks (a) Low-impact aerobics at fitness centre (b) Low-impact aerobics at home (c) None	3 times/week	60 min	Moderate to high	+ within group 0 between groups	+ within group 0 between groups	NA	NR
Lyngberg et al, 199426	12 weeks (a) Progressive interval training; cycling and muscle strengthening exercises, stretching (b) None	2 times/week	45 min	Moderate	0	+	0	0
van den Ende et al, 199627	12 weeks (a) Progressive interval group training; cycling and muscle strengthening exercises (b) ROM and non-weight-bearing muscle strengthening exercise in groups (c) ROM and non-weight-bearing muscle strengthening exercise, individually supervised (d) ROM and non-weight-bearing muscle strengthening exercise at home with written instructions only	3 times/week	60 min	Moderate to high	+	+	0	− within group 0 between groups
Stavropoulos-Kalinoglou et al, 201328	26 weeks (a) Individualised aerobic exercise, the last 3 months also muscle strengthening exercises. (b) Advice on exercise benefits and lifestyle changes	3 times/week	60–70 min (progression)	High	+	NA	NA	+
Strasser et al, 201129	26 weeks (a) Progressive aerobic and muscle strengthening exercises (b) Stretching exercises	2 times/week	30–80 min (progression)	High	+ within group 0 between groups	+ within group 0 between groups	+ within group 0 between groups	0
Seneca et al, 201530	12 weeks (a) 6 weeks supervised progressive aerobic and muscle strengthening exercise plus 6 weeks self-administered aerobic and muscle strengthening exercise (b) Only self-administered aerobic and muscle strengthening exercise	2 times/week	60 min	High	+ within group 0 between groups	+	+ within group 0 between groups	0
Durcan et al, 201431	12 weeks (a) Muscle strengthening exercise, aerobic walking and flexibility exercise (b) Advice on the benefits of exercise	2–3 times/week of muscle strengthening 5 times/week of aerobic walking	30–60 min	Moderate	NR	NR	+	+
Sanford Smith et al, 199832	10 weeks (a) Aqua-aerobic exercise (b) ROM and isometric strengthening exercises	3 times/week	50 min	Moderate	+ within group 0 between groups	+ within group 0 between groups	NR	0
Hsieh et al, 200933	10 weeks (a) Aerobic exercise in water with warm-up on bicycle/treadmill (b) Aerobic and stretching exercises, individual home-based	3 times/week	60 min	Moderate to high	+	NR	+ within group 0 between groups	+ within group 0 between groups
de Jong et al, 200334*	104 weeks (a) Cycling exercise, muscle strengthening exercise, sport or games exercise (b) None	2 times/week	75 min	High	+	+	NR	+
de Jong et al, 200935*	104 weeks (a) Cycling exercise, muscle strengthening exercise, sport or games exercise (b) None	2 times/week 75 min		High	0	+	NR	0
Hansen et al, 199336	104 weeks (a) Muscle strengthening and aerobic exercise, individual home-based (b) Muscle strengthening and interval aerobic exercise, individual supervised weekly (c) Muscle strengthening and interval aerobic exercise, group supervised weekly (d) Muscle strengthening exercise and interval aerobic exercise in water, group supervised (e) None	3–7 times/week	45 min	Moderate	0	0	0	0
Hurkmans et al, 201037*	52 weeks (a) Internet-based, individualised muscle strengthening, ROM and cycling exercise (b) Internet-based, general information on aerobic, muscle strengthening and ROM exercise. Advice to engage in physical activity	5 times/week	30 min	Moderate to high intensity	NA	NA	NA	0

*Studies describing long-term follow-up on earlier studies.
−, deterioration; +, improvement; 0, no difference; high intensity, 60–89% maximum oxygen uptake (VO₂max), rate of perceived exertion (RPE) 14–17; moderate intensity, 40–59% VO₂max, RPE 12–13; NA, not analysed; NR, not reported; ROM, range of motion.