OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to summarize and determine the effectiveness of resistance training on exercise capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and two Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang Data) to identify articles written in English or Chinese and published from January 2000 to January 2019. Randomized controlled trials were included if they evaluated the effects of resistance training on exercise capacity in COPD patients. We assessed the quality of the trials using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database Scale. Data from these studies were pooled to calculate weighted mean difference (WMD) or standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Eleven studies with a total of 405 participants met the inclusion criteria. Compared with the non-exercise control group, resistance training significantly improved 6-min walking distance (WMD, 54.52; 95% CI 25.47-83.56; I(2) = 43%; P = 0.14), transfer numbers for the 6-min pegboard and ring test (WMD, 25.17; 95% CI 10.17-40.16; I(2) = 0%; P = 0.55), and tolerance time for the unsupported upper-limb exercise test (SMD, 0.41; 95% CI 0.03-0.79; I(2) = 0%; P = 0.83). There were no significant differences in constant work rate endurance test results or in peak oxygen uptake between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Resistance training was an effective approach to improve functional exercise capacity, endurance exercise capacity, and peak exercise capacity in COPD patients.