Effects of 12-Week Concurrent High-Intensity Interval Strength and Endurance Training Program on Physical Performance in Healthy Older People

Abstract

This study aimed to analyse the effect of 12-week low-volume HIIT-based concurrent training programme on body composition, upper- and lower-body muscle strength, mobility and balance in older adults, as well as to compare it with a low- moderate-intensity continuous training. 90 active older adults were randomly assigned to experimental (EG, n=47), and control (CG, n=43) groups. Body composition and physical functioning were assessed before (pre-test) and after (post-test) a 12-week intervention. A 2-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to test for an interaction between training programme and groups. The time x group interaction revealed no significant between-group differences at pre-test (p≥0.05). The group x time interaction showed significant improvements for the EG in body composition parameters (p<0.05) and physical functioning (muscle strength: p<0.001; mobility: p<0.001; and balance: p<0.05); while the CG remained unchanged (p≥0.05). This HIIT-based concurrent training programme led to greater improvements in body composition, muscle strength, mobility and balance in healthy older people than a regular low- moderate-intensity continuous training, despite the reduction in overall training volume.

Satisfaction with Life, Subjective Well-Being and Functional Skills in Active Older Adults Based on Their Level of Physical Activity Practice

“…In this regard, some studies [37] have also refuted that the practice of low physical activity is ineffective for the functional improvement of older adults. These results have also been supported by other researchers [38] who obtained greater improvements in a HIIT-(High Intensity Interval Training) trained group than a group treated through regular low intensity continuous training.…”

Suspension Training HIIT Improves Gait Speed, Strength and Quality of Life in Older Adults

“…The number of articles focused on HIIT in older adults has increased in recent years. Regarding body composition and anthropometric parameters, a study by Garcia Pinillos et al [15] found significant differences in body composition for older people ( − 2.15 % body mass, − 4.20 % fat mass, + 6.23 % muscle mass) after a 12-week low-volume HIIT-based concurrent training programme. However Ramirez et al [50], in a study with the same intensity of HIIT and the same duration of intervention did not find significant improvements in waist and hip circumference in adults with metabolic syndrome and Bartlett et al [5], in a recent study involving elderly people over 64 years, described no significant improvement in fat percentage after 10 weeks of HIIT intervention.…”

“…Nevertheless, a systematic review and meta-analysis published in 2018 concluded that there were no evidence supporting important differences in health-related quality of life in heart failure patients with reduced ejection [17]. Benefits in physical functioning have been also described after HIIT training in healthy older adults [15].…”

<p>Association Between Objectively Measured Physical Activity And Musculoskeletal Disorders, And Perceived Work Ability Among Adult, Middle-Aged And Older Women</p>

“…This has contributed to a systematic increase in the amount of research concerning health-related effects of various physical training interventions in middle-aged and older people. [18][19][20][21] Physical activity can prevent and reduce the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders in populations of all ages. [22][23][24][25] However, this is especially important in professionally active workers, as musculoskeletal pain can be the factor that reduces the ability and capacity to work.…”