Effects of High-Intensity Combined Training on Women over 65

Abstract

Background: Many studies have sought to assess the effects of physical exercise on older people, but there is little scientific evidence concerning its effects on subjects’ quality of life and cognitive function. Besides, there is a need to know how well the elderly can tolerate combined exercise programs of great intensity and frequency, without risking their health. Objectives: To determine whether older people are able to do a high-intensity combined program of physical exercise, and to analyze its effects at a conditional, cognitive and functional level as well as on their quality of life. Methods: Sixty-two community-dwelling women older than 65 took part in a randomized trial, with subjects assigned to a combined program of aquatic exercise plus high-intensity strength training (group 1), or plus calisthenic training (group 2). Group 2 training consisted of several aerobic, mobility and flexibility exercises; group 1 training consisted of 7 exercises targeting the major muscle groups of the body, performed on exercise machines at an intensity of 75% of 1 repetition maximum. Both groups trained 5 days a week during 5 months. Quality of life, cognitive function, and functional level were assessed by means of validated questionnaires. Conditional evaluations included static and dynamic strength, balance, flexibility, and aerobic capacity. Results: No participant withdrew for adverse effects during the program or at the end. Both groups obtained a significant improvement in their quality of life and cognitive function, as well as in their balance and flexibility level, whereas only group 1 improved their static and dynamic strength significantly. Conclusion: Older women can take part in high-frequency, high-intensity training programs with no risk to their health while experiencing improvements to their quality of life, cognitive function, degree of independence and physical fitness.

Is water-based exercise training sufficient to improve physical fitness in the elderly?

“…Moreover, the RCT of Ruoti et al [17] revealed improvements between and within groups in VO 2 max and heart rate (HR), while Taunton et al [19] highlighted a 11.7% of improvements in VO 2 max of the water-based exercise group, but the improvement was statistically significant only in the within group analysis. Finally, only the RUT of Cancela Carral et al [18] did not find any statistically significant change in VO 2 max and in the 2,000-m walk time. From the available literature and the criteria set in this review, it appears that the utilization of water exercise as a method to improve aerobic (cardiovascular) capacity in healthy elderly is supported by strong evidence.…”

“…One additional study [11] was excluded because muscle strength of the expiratory and inspiratory muscles was not consider as an index of aerobic or endurance capacity. Among the included studies, five were RCTs [12][13][14][15][16], three studies were randomized UTs [17][18][19] and one study was a CT [20].…”

Effect of Resistance-Exercise Training on Cognitive Function in Healthy Older Adults: A Review

“…Although studies have reported conflicting findings on the role of resistance-exercise training in preventing cognitive decline with age, many studies have demonstrated a beneficial effect of such training on specific cognitive measures. In comparing resistance-exercise training with other types of exercise training such as flexibility, tone, relaxation, calisthenics, and even endurance exercises (Brown et al, 2009;Cancela Carral & Ayan Perez, 2007;Ozkaya et al, 2005), some studies have shown that resistance training produces equivalent or increased specific cognitive performances. These beneficial effects were supported by both behavioral and neuroelectric cognitive functions (Ozkaya et al, 2005).…”

“…Ten studies that examined the effects of resistance training on different aspects of cognition were identified: Three studies examined resistance exercise versus nonexercise (Kimura et al, 2010;Liu-Ambrose et al, 2008;Perrig-Chiello, Perrig, Ehrsam, Staehelin, & Krings, 1998; see Table 1), four studies compared multiple exercise modalities (Brown, Liu-Ambrose, Tate, & Lord, 2009;Cancela Carral & Ayan Perez, 2007;Komulainen et al, 2010;Ozkaya et al, 2005;see Table 2), and three studies examined dose-response relationships (Cassilhas et al, 2007;Liu-Ambrose et al, 2010;Tsutsumi, Don, Zaichkowsky, & Delizonna, 1997; see Table 3). Perrig-Chiello et al (1998) evaluated the effects of an 8-week resistance-training program on performance involving multiple cognitive tasks.…”

“…In sum, all four studies were conducted using an RCT design, and two of them proposed between-groups cognitive differences between resistance-exercise and control groups (Brown et al, 2009;Ozkaya et al, 2005), while one revealed within-group cognitive differences in the exercise group (Cancela Carral & Ayan Perez, 2007). With the largest sample size, although Komulainen et al (2010) failed to support the between-groups cognitive differences during the first 2 years, resistance-exercise-induced VO 2max was positively associated with immediate memory, reflecting the potential link between resistance exercise and cognition.…”