Objective To evaluate the effects of resistance and aerobic training on the patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods A total of 80 gerontal patients with stable COPD were enrolled in this study. They were randomly assigned to a combination training group (resistance and aerobic training) or an aerobic training group, respectively, and received training for 12 weeks. Thirty-seven patients completed combined training and 35 patients completed aerobic training. The clinical information including lung function, arterial blood gas, exercise ability, St. George’s respiratary questionnaire (SGRQ) score, anxiety and depression status were evaluated, and compared among three time points(pre, post 12-week training, and 3-month follow-up). Results After 12-week training, the body mass index (BMI), partial pressure of oxygen(PaO₂), 3-minute walking distance(3MWD) and SGRQ scores in the combined training group were significantly improved compared with those before treatment(P<0.05). There were also significant differences in 3MWD and SGRQ scores after 3-month follow-up compared with their own baseline (P<0.05). The PaO₂ and 3MWD (after treatment and 3-month follow up) was significantly improved compared with those before treatment in aerobic training group(P<0.05). After 12-week training and 3-month follow-up, BMI, 3MWD and SGRQ scores in the combined training group were significantly improved compared with the aerobic training group (P<0.05), the depression state in the combined training group was also improved; while the anxiety state in the combined training group was worse than that in the aerobic training group after 3 months(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in pulmonary function, arterial blood gas analysis, heart rate and COPD assessment test between two groups(P>0.05).Conclusions The therapeutic efficacy of 12-week training of resistance and aerobic for the gerontal patients with stable COPD significantly improved their exercise ability, quality of life and BMI; and the effect on excise ability could last more than three months. However, it couldn’t make a significant change in pulmonary function.