Older Adults Recently Discharged from the Hospital: Effect of Aerobic Interval Exercise on Health‐Related Quality of Life, Physical Fitness, and Physical Activity

Objectives To compare the effect of high‐intensity aerobic interval exercise ( HIA ) with home‐based exercise ( HB ) in older adults with chronic disease soon after discharge from the hospital. Design Randomized controlled trial. Setting Hospital. Participants Community‐dwelling older adults aged 70 to 92 (N = 115) were recruited while in the hospital. After discharge, they were randomized to HIA group (n = 59) or HB (n = 56). Intervention High‐intensity aerobic interval exercise ( HIA ) consisted of endurance, strength, and balance exercises. The HB consisted of low‐intensity exercises and telephone follow‐up from a physical therapist. Measurements Health‐related quality of life ( HRQOL ) was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study 36‐item Short Form Survey, physical fitness was measured using the Senior Fitness Test, and physical activity was assessed using the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly. Results Intention‐to‐treat analysis showed that both groups improved their HRQOL and physical activity after 3 months. Improvements on the Senior Fitness Test (chair stand, arm curl and 6‐minute walk (6 MWT )) were significantly greater in the HIA group than the HB group. The mean difference was 25.9 m on the 6 MWT ( P = .001, effect size d = 0.2), 1.3 per 30 seconds on the chair stands mean ( P = .001, effect size d = 0.3), and 1.6 per 30 seconds on the arm curl ( P = .001, effect size d = 0.4). Conclusion High‐intensity aerobic interval exercise ( HIA ) participants significantly improved their physical fitness. Both groups increased their HRQOL and physical activity. The findings suggest that exercise therapy should be incorporated as a part of the treatment for older people at risk for functional decline.