Novel all-extremity high-intensity interval training improves aerobic fitness, cardiac function and insulin resistance in healthy older adults

Abstract

Aging is associated with decreased aerobic fitness and cardiac remodeling leading to increased risk for cardiovascular disease. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) on the treadmill has been reported to be more effective in ameliorating these risk factors compared with moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) in patients with cardiometabolic disease. In older adults, however, weight-bearing activities are frequently limited due to musculoskeletal and balance problems. The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility and safety of non-weight-bearing all-extremity HIIT in older adults. In addition, we tested the hypothesis that all-extremity HIIT will be more effective in improving aerobic fitness, cardiac function, and metabolic risk factors compared with all-extremity MICT. Fifty-one healthy sedentary older adults (age: 65±1 years) were randomized to HIIT (n=17), MICT (n=18) or non-exercise control (CONT; n=16). HIIT (4×4 minutes 90% of peak heart rate; HRpeak) and isocaloric MICT (70% of HRpeak) were performed on a non-weight-bearing all-extremity ergometer, 4x/week for 8 weeks under supervision. All-extremity HIIT was feasible in older adults and resulted in no adverse events. Aerobic fitness (peak oxygen consumption; VO2peak) and ejection fraction (echocardiography) improved by 11% (P<0.0001) and 4% (P=0.001) respectively in HIIT, while no changes were observed in MICT and CONT (P≥0.1). Greater improvements in ejection fraction were associated with greater improvements in VO2peak (r=0.57; P<0.0001). Insulin resistance (homeostatic model assessment) decreased only in HIIT by 26% (P=0.016). Diastolic function, body composition, glucose and lipids were unaffected (P≥0.1). In conclusion, all-extremity HIIT is feasible and safe in older adults. HIIT, but not MICT, improved aerobic fitness, ejection fraction, and insulin resistance.

Is interval training the magic bullet for fat loss? A systematic review and meta-analysis comparing moderate-intensity continuous training with high-intensity interval training (HIIT)

“…Only one study71 employed both HIIT and SIT interventions, and one study included two HIIT interventions 86. Of the 41 studies, 20 used cycling,24 55 57 58 69 70 72 73 75 78–81 83 84 87–90 93 16 used walking/jogging/running,54 56 59–67 71 77 82 91 92 1 used a synchronous arm and leg air-braked ergometer,85 1 offered a choice between the two (cycle ergometer or walking/running) depending on orthopaedic limitations,86 1 used swimming,74 1 used boxing drills for the HIIT protocol and walking for MOD,76 and 1 used a rower ergometer 68. Intervention duration ranged from 468 73 75 81 to 16 weeks,86 87 with 12 weeks being the most common (~44%; n=18)54 56 57 59 63 64 66 67 70 71 76 80 82–84 89 92 93 (online supplementary table S1).…”

Effects and moderators of exercise on muscle strength, muscle function and aerobic fitness in patients with cancer: a meta-analysis of individual patient data

“…This could be explained by higher exercise adherence in younger patients67 68 or inadequate training regimes targeting aerobic fitness in older adults 69. For example, older adults experienced larger improvements in aerobic fitness from high-intensity interval training than moderate-intensity continuous training 69.…”

“…This could be explained by higher exercise adherence in younger patients67 68 or inadequate training regimes targeting aerobic fitness in older adults 69. For example, older adults experienced larger improvements in aerobic fitness from high-intensity interval training than moderate-intensity continuous training 69. However, a systematic review investigating determinants of exercise adherence in patients with cancer reported inconsistent findings for age,70 and supervised exercise interventions during and following cancer treatment can improve muscle strength and aerobic fitness in older patients with prostate or breast cancer 33 38 71 72…”

Efeito do treinamento intervalado de alta intensidade versus treinamento contínuo na composição corporal: uma revisão sistemática com meta-análise

“…Sete estudos avaliaram secundariamente [31][32][33][34][35][36][37] e cinco estudos tiveram controle alimentar 26,29,30,33,37 .…”

“…Dos estudos incluídos, apenas 13 estudos analisaram à composição corporal em relação ao percentual de gordura, os métodos de análises incluiram: quatro estudos avaliaram pelo método de bioimpedância 23,27,34,35 ; nove estudos através da absorciometria por dupla emissão de raio-x (DEXA) 1,26,[28][29][30][31]33,36,37 . Dentre os desfechos antropometricos 13 estudos incluíram a massa corporal total; 12 avaliaram o índice de massa corporal e apenas oito estudos avaliaram a CC, conforme pode ser visto na Tabela 1.…”