The training program will be conducted in accordance with the recommendations of the American College of Sports Medicine. All training sessions will be preceded by stretching of large muscle groups and heating (5 minutes) and at the end by cool down and stretching (5 minutes). The program will consist of 24 weeks with three sessions per week on alternate days. The aerobic training will be continuous, with an increment of 10 minutes in duration every 4 weeks. The intensity will be prescribed according to ventilatory threshold, characterized by the highest intensity of physical exertion fully maintained by aerobic energy pathways. The intensity control was done by means of the heart rate value obtained at ventilatory threshold. The home-based exercise group exercise at home with telephone follow-up weekly and once a month will be held at the training center under the supervision of a physical education teacher.

The training program will be conducted in accordance with the recommendations of the American College of Sports Medicine. All training sessions will be preceded by stretching of large muscle groups and heating (5 minutes) and at the end by cool down and stretching (5 minutes). The program will consist of 24 weeks with three sessions per week on alternate days. The aerobic training will be continuous, with an increment of 10 minutes in duration every 4 weeks. The intensity will be prescribed according to ventilatory threshold, characterized by the highest intensity of physical exertion fully maintained by aerobic energy pathways. The intensity control was done by means of the heart rate value obtained at ventilatory threshold. However, a group exercise held in the center on a treadmill with the direct supervision of a physical education teacher.

The test began with a fixed inclination of 1%. The initial velocity was 2 km/h during the first three minutes with increments of 0.5km/h every minute until the patient reaches physical exhaustion. The ventilatory variables were measured using a gas analyzer. The highest oxygen uptake obtained during the last stage reached was considered the peak oxygen uptake. The ventilatory threshold was determined as the stage preceding the first occurrence of the exponential increase in ventilation, increase in the ventilatory equivalent for oxygen and increase in expired fraction of oxygen. The respiratory compensation point was determined as the stage preceding the second occurrence of the exponential increase in ventilation, increase in the ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide and decrease in end-tidal carbon dioxide. Data were analyzed by the average of 20 seconds.

Functional capacity was assessed using a variety of objective measures. These included six-minute walk test (maximal distance walked along an internal corridor during six minutes), two-minute step test (maximal number of steps achieved in stationary walking during two minutes, used to quantifying the aerobic power), sit-to-stand test (maximal sit to stand cycles achieved in 30 seconds, used to quantifying the muscular endurance of the legs), arm curl test (maximal number of arm curl cycles in 30 seconds, used to quantifying the muscular endurance of the arms), sit and reach test (maximal distance achieved in the Wells bench, used to quantifying the general flexibility), back scratch test (maximum amplitude of the arms used to quantifying the arms flexibility) and time up and go test (shorter time to rise from a chair, walk three meters and sit back, used to quantifying the functional mobility).

The Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire was applied to assess the quality of life. The scores for each domain range from 0 to 100%. The higher scores define a better quality of life. The questionnaire was applied individually in a clear and quiet room with the patient rested.