Impact of low-volume, high-intensity interval training on maximal aerobic capacity, health-related quality of life and motivation to exercise in ageing men

Abstract

There is a demand for effective training methods that encourage exercise adherence during advancing age, particularly in sedentary populations. This study examined the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) exercise on health-related quality of life (HRQL), aerobic fitness and motivation to exercise in ageing men. Participants consisted of males who were either lifelong sedentary (SED; N=25; age 63±5 years) or lifelong exercisers (LEX; N=19; aged 61±5 years).V O 2max and HRQL were measured at three phases: baseline (Phase A), week seven (Phase B) and week 13 (Phase C). Motivation to exercise was measured at baseline and week 13.VO 2max was significantly higher in LEX (39.2±5.6 ml kg min −1 ) compared to SED (27.2 ±5.2 ml kg min −1 ) and increased in both groups from Phase A to C (SED 4.6±3.2 ml kg min −1 , 95 % CI 3.1 -6.0; LEX 4.9±3.4 ml kg min −1 , 95 % CI 3.1-6.6) Physical functioning (97±4 LEX; 93±7 SED) and general health (70±11 LEX; 78±11 SED) were significantly higher in LEX but increased only in the SED group from Phase A to C (physical functioning 17±18, 95 % CI 9-26, general health 14±14, 95 % CI 8-21). Exercise motives related to social recognition (2.4±1.2 LEX; 1.5 ±1.0 SED), affiliation (2.7±1.0 LEX; 1.6±1.2 SED) and competition (3.3±1.3 LEX; 2.2±1.1) were significantly higher in LEX yet weight management motives were significantly higher in SED (2.9±1.1 LEX; 4.3± 0.5 SED). The study provides preliminary evidence that low-volume HIIT increases perceptions of HRQL, exercise motives and aerobic capacity in older adults, to varying degrees, in both SED and LEX groups.Keywords Ageing men . High-intensity interval training . Health-related quality of life . Motivation . Exercise

Effectiveness of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIT) and Continuous Endurance Training for VO2max Improvements: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Controlled Trials

“…[53] and Knowles et al [54] whereby HIT elicited substantial improvements in VO2max and also measures of functional fitness and quality of life.…”

“…VO2max), functional fitness (e.g. sit to stand test) and health-related quality of life/physical functioning following short (3 weeks) [53] and long duration (13 weeks) [54] interventions. Our findings of enhanced beneficial effects for HIT with longer repetitions, greater work:rest ratios and longer training interventions provides valuable information to those involved in the design and implementation of HIT programmes.…”

Lifelong exercise, but not short-term high-intensity interval training, increases GDF11, a marker of successful aging: a preliminary investigation

“…2015; Knowles et al. 2015; Herbert et al. 2017), and therefore only a subset of participants were analyzed.…”

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) increases insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in sedentary aging men but not masters’ athletes: an observational study

“…HIIT appears to induce a number of favorable adaptations in older adults, including vascular function [23], quality of life [7], muscle power [29], and mitochondrial function [30].…”

“…Furthermore, exercise can improve cardiovascular function, metabolic health, muscular function, body composition, and quality of life, in aging cohorts [5,6,7]. For example, Fiatarone and colleagues [8] reported significant increases in maximal strength and gait speed following eight weeks of high-intensity resistance training in nonagenarians.…”