Effects of Three Different Exercise Strategies for Optimizing Aerobic Capacity and Skeletal Muscle Performance in Older Adults: A Pilot Study

Abstract

This Brief Report describes a pilot study of the effect of 12 weeks of stationary bicycle high-intensity interval training, stationary bicycle moderate-intensity continuous training, and resistance training on cardiorespiratory, muscular, and physical function measures in insufficiently-active older adults (N=14; 66.4±3.9 years; 3 male, 11 female). After baseline testing, participants were randomly assigned to one of the exercise groups. High-intensity interval training and moderate-intensity continuous training had small-to-large effect sizes on cardiorespiratory/endurance and physical function measures, but very small effect sizes on muscular measures. Resistance training had small-to-large effect sizes on cardiorespiratory, muscular, and physical function measures. This pilot study should be interpreted cautiously, but findings suggest that resistance exercise may be the most effective of the three studied exercise strategies for older adults as it can induce beneficial adaptations across multiple domains. These effect sizes can be used to determine optimal sample sizes for future investigations.

Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training on Functional Movement in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

“…Two studies [ 41 , 47 ] used a three-arm parallel design including MICT and CON. Two studies [ 48 , 49 ] used a three-arm parallel design including MICT and resistance training comparators.…”

“…Two studies [ 50 , 51 ] did not disclose the sex breakdown of participants; therefore, the sex distribution of the review is not available. Three studies were of female subjects [ 47 , 52 , 53 ], one was of male subjects [ 53 ], and 12 studies were of mixed sex [ 39 , 41 , 42 , 48 , 49 , 54 – 60 ]. Seven studies [ 39 , 41 , 47 , 52 , 53 , 56 , 60 ] described participants as untrained.…”

Current aspects of high-intensity interval training for older adults: a narrative review

“…As for physical function capacity, dominant leg strength one-repetition maximum and Timed Up And Go Test for dynamic balance increased after a 12-wk HIIT program (10 × 1 min at an intensity of 90% HRpeak interspersed with 2 min of inactive rest three times a wk) in older men (66 ± 5 yrs) 64) . HIIT had a large effect on six-minute walk distance and a moderate effect on grip strength and chair rise time, indicating that HIIT can improve physical functional capacity in older adults 53) .…”

“…Muscle strength/power. Although HIIT has been shown to improve muscle strength in older adults 53) , data supporting this finding are still lacking 64) . Tavoian et al tried to compare skeletal muscle performance including isokinetic strength, isometric strength, and physical function outcomes between HIIT, MCT, and strength training in older adults (66.4 ± 3.9 yrs).…”

“…HIIT had minimal effects on muscle strength and mass. However, data sampling was limited with no conclusive results 64) . Because skeletal muscle power is a predictor of functional performance in older adults 44) , the improved peak power output by HIIT could be useful to prevent frailty and falls 65) .…”