The cardiovascular rehabilitation after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABS) is carried out in different intensities and intervals after the intervention in an inpatient or outpatient manner. Studies, which prospectively evaluate the influence of such programs concerning the physical and the psychological status are missing. The following questions were therefore pursued in the present prospective study (66 patients with recently performed myocardial revascularisation): 1. Is it possible by a controlled, regular physical training to normalize the functional capacity in patients after CABS in comparison with a healthy, not specially trained control collective? 2. Do psychological factors and/or age, sex and postoperative anaemia influence the recovery of the reduced functional capacity after the intervention? To answer these questions 66 patients were enrolled 16 +/- 1 days after CABS in a controlled, inpatient average three week-rehabilitation program. During this program the functional capacity of the patients doubled, however without reaching the values of the normal collective. Furthermore, physical and psychological wellbeing and disability as well as the initially mentioned feelings of despondency normalized in men and women. The improvement of fitness during the rehabilitation program was mainly dependent on the improvement of the social integration in women, whereas it correlated with the increase of the physical and psychological well-being in men. Moreover, only in the male patient group the correction of anaemia was an important factor. Age, sex and the preoperative left ventricular function didn't have any effect on the rapidity of recovery after the operation. In summary patients (aged between 30 and 75) of both sexes can already be enrolled in a regular training program two weeks after CABS, leading to a good recovery of their physical and psychological capacity.