High-intensity interval training promoted greater reductions in fat mass (-2.2%) and resting heart rate, and greater improvements in functional performance compared to moderate-intensity continuous training in elderly women.
RCT (n=46)
Single-blind
blinded-counterbalanced
No
Does high-intensity interval training improve functional performance, body composition, resting heart rate, and blood pressure more than moderate-intensity training in elderly women nursing home residents?
High-intensity interval training provides superior benefits for body composition, resting heart rate, and functional performance compared to moderate-intensity training in elderly women, with better retention of benefits after detraining.
Absolute Event Rate: -2.2% vs -0.7%
p-value: p=<0.001
Abstract Background The present study compared the effects of training and detraining periods of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), moderate-intensity interval training (MIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on functional performance, body composition, resting blood pressure and heart rate in elderly women nursing home residents. Methods Forty-six volunteers (age, 80.8 ± 5.2 y; body mass, 69.8 ± 5.2 kg, height, 164.2 ± 4.12 cm) were divided into groups that performed treadmill exercise twice-weekly HIIT (4 bouts of 4-min intervals at 85–95% of the maximal heart rate HR max , interspersed by 4 min at 65% HR max ), MIIT (4 bouts of 4 min intervals at 55–75% HR max , interspersed by 4 min at 45–50% HR max ) and MICT (30-min at 55–75% HR max ). Tests were performed before and after 8 weeks of training and 2 and 4 weeks of detraining. ANCOVA was used to analyze dependent variable changes. Results After 8 weeks HIIT promoted greater reductions in body mass (HIIT = − 1.6 ± 0.1 kg; MICT = − 0.9 ± 0.1 kg; MIIT = − 0.9 ± 0.1 kg; p = 0.001), fat mass (HIIT = − 2.2 ± 0.1%; MICT = − 0.7 ± 0.1%; MIIT = − 1.2 ± 0.1%; p < 0.001) and resting heart rate (HIIT = − 7.3 ± 0.3%; MICT = − 3.6 ± 0.3%; MIIT = − 5.1 ± 0.3%; p < 0.001) and greater improvement in the chair stand test (HIIT = 3.4 ± 0.1 reps; MICT = 2.5 ± 0.1 reps; MIIT = 3.1 ± 0.1 reps; p < 0.001) when compared to MIIT and MICT. These improvements were sustained after 2 and 4 weeks of detraining only in the HIIT group. Conclusion HIIT promoted greater benefits for body composition and functional performance than MICT and MIIT and also showed less pronounced effects of detraining. This suggests that the intensity of physical exercise is an important factor to consider when prescribing exercise to the elderly.
Coswig et al. (Mon,) conducted a rct in Elderly women nursing home residents (n=46). High-intensity interval training (HIIT) vs. Moderate-intensity interval training (MIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) was evaluated on Change in fat mass (%) (p=<0.001). High-intensity interval training promoted greater reductions in fat mass (-2.2%) and resting heart rate, and greater improvements in functional performance compared to moderate-intensity continuous training in elderly women.