Effects of high-intensity interval training combined with traditional strength or power training on functionality and physical fitness in healthy older men: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Concurrent training (CT) is an efficient strategy to improve neuromuscular function and cardiorespiratory fitness in older adults, which are factors of pivotal importance for the maintenance of functional capacity with aging. However, there is a lack of evidence about the effectiveness of power training (PT) as an alternative to traditional strength training (TST) during CT. Thus, the aim of the present study was to examine the effect of 16 weeks (twice weekly) TST combined with high intensity interval training (TST + HIIT) vs. PT combined with HIIT (PT + HIIT) on functional performance, cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition in older men. Thirty five older men (65.8 ± 3.9 years) were randomly allocated into two training groups: TST + HIIT (n = 18), and PT + HIIT (n = 17). TST + HIIT performed resistance training at intensities ranging from 65% to 80% 1RM at slow controlled speed (≅ 2 s for each concentric phase), whereas PT + HIIT trained at intensities ranging from 40% to 60% of 1RM at maximal intentional speed. Both groups performed HIIT at intensities ranging from 75 to 90% of VO 2peak . Participants performed functional tests (sit-to-stand, timed-up-and-go, stair climbing); cardiopulmonary exercise testing (maximal cycling power output: W max , peak oxygen uptake: VO 2peak , cycling economy), as well as body composition assessment (DXA) before, post 8 and post 16 weeks of training. The groups improved similarly (P < 0.05) with training in all functional capacity outcomes, W max , cycling economy, VO 2peak and body composition (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that HIIT based CT programs involving TST vs. PT are equally effective in improving functionality, cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition in healthy older men.

Physical Activity Adherence Related to Body Composition and Physical Fitness in Spanish Older Adults: 8 Years-Longitudinal EXERNET-Study

“…In regard to physical fitness, lower body strength and aerobic endurance, have been identified as determinant for decrease PA practice in older adults. It has been reported that the process of aging dramatically impacts functional abilities, such as sit-to-stand, gait, and stair climbing abilities ( Reid and Fielding, 2012 ; Müller et al, 2021 ), mainly related to muscle power declines observed during the aging process ( Izquierdo et al, 1999 ; Müller et al, 2021 ). Our results have identified older adults’ lower results in the chair-stand test and lower distance in the aerobic endurance 6-min walk test, as predictors to a decrease in their PA practice over a period of 8 years.…”

Efectos de un programa de Aprendizaje-Servicio sobre Ejercicio Físico concurrente con personas adultas-mayores: Pilates y juegos de socialización (Effects of a Concurrent Physical Activity Service-Learning program with older adults: Pilates and socializa

“…Actualmente, múltiples estudios recientes (Barajas-Galindo, González, Vicente, Ballesteros-Pomara, , 2021; Fougner et al, 2018;Giovanni et al, 2022;León-Olivares, Capella-Peris, Chiva-Bartoll, & Ruiz-Montero, 2019;Müller et al, 2021;Pothier et al, 2021), en la línea de la presente investigación, tratan de averiguar los posibles beneficios que el ejercicio físico puede proporcionar a los adultos-mayores. Específicamente, los programas de entrenamiento concurrente, que, como nos explica Teodoro et al (2019), son programas donde la combinación de fuerza y resistencia aeróbica simultáneamente, son un instrumento ideal para la mejora de la salud mental y física en personas adultas-mayores.…”

“…Un programa de entrenamiento concurrente consiste en combinar el trabajo de dos capacidades físicas: fuerza y resistencia. Se ha evidenciado que el entrenamiento concurrente es una estrategia ideal para minimizar las deficiencias neuromusculares y cardiovasculares que aparecen con el envejecimiento (Teodoro et al, 2019), ya que se trata de un modelo de entrenamiento ideal para el mantenimiento de la capacidad funcional a medida que envejecemos, además de mejorar la función neuromuscular, la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria e índices de composición corporal en adultos-mayores (Müller et al, 2021). Dicho estudio realizó un programa de entrenamiento con personas mayores combinando entrenamiento de fuerza junto con entrenamiento interválico de alta intensidad (siglas en inglés, HIIT) y concluyó que las mejoras fueron similares entre los adultos sanos y los adultos que tenían adaptaciones psicológicas y/o funcionales, por lo que, si un adulto mayor (como es el caso en este estudio) tiene dificultades para realizar algunos ejercicios es esencial adaptar las sesiones a sus capacidades, ya que puede mejorar tanto como un adulto que no necesite adaptaciones.…”

Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training on Muscle Strength for the Prevention and Treatment of Sarcopenia in Older Adults: A Systematic Review of the Literature

“…This tool provides a reliable assessment of various domains within the studies, with each domain being categorized as having a high, low, or unclear risk of bias [ 25 ]. Among the five manuscripts assessed—Müller et al [ 26 ], Siqueira et al [ 27 ], Wyckelsma et al [ 28 ], Sculthorpe et al [ 29 ], and Bruseghini et al [ 30 ]—each study was found to have a “high risk of bias” in at least one domain [ 25 ] ( Figure 2 ). In the domain of random sequence generation (selection bias), only one study was categorized as having a “low risk of bias” [ 26 ], while another study was marked as “unclear risk” [ 30 ].…”

“…Among the five manuscripts assessed—Müller et al [ 26 ], Siqueira et al [ 27 ], Wyckelsma et al [ 28 ], Sculthorpe et al [ 29 ], and Bruseghini et al [ 30 ]—each study was found to have a “high risk of bias” in at least one domain [ 25 ] ( Figure 2 ). In the domain of random sequence generation (selection bias), only one study was categorized as having a “low risk of bias” [ 26 ], while another study was marked as “unclear risk” [ 30 ]. The remaining articles provided sufficient information to ascertain the adequacy of the randomization sequence generation process, resulting in an overall assessment of “low risk” for this domain.…”