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Meta-Analysis
. 2024 Sep:124:105451.
doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2024.105451. Epub 2024 Apr 22.

Effects of high-intensity interval and continuous moderate aerobic training on fitness and health markers of older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Adriano Oliveira  1 , Andressa Fidalgo  2 , Paulo Farinatti  2 , Walace Monteiro  3
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Effects of high-intensity interval and continuous moderate aerobic training on fitness and health markers of older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Adriano Oliveira et al. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2024 Sep.

Abstract

Background: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) promotes similar or superior gains in physical fitness and health compared to continuous moderate-intensity training (MICT) in young individuals. However, the effectiveness of HIIT in older adults is uncertain.

Objective: This meta-analysis compared the effects of HIIT and MICT on cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, vascular, metabolic, and hormonal variables, cognitive function, and quality of life in older adults.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science, Scopus, and SportDiscus databases were searched from inception until December 2023. Trials included adults ≥ 60 y. Hedge's effect sizes (g) were calculated and study quality and features of training interventions were tested as moderators.

Results: Twenty-nine trials including 1,227 subjects (65.4 ± 3.3 y). HIIT and MICT elicited significant (p < 0.021) and similar (p > 0.156) 'gs' for VO2max (0.722 vs. 0.490), maximal workload/peak power output ratio (0.290 vs. 0.372),% fat (-0.297 vs. -0.262), glycemia (-0.273 vs. -0.334), systolic (-0.465 vs. -0.341), and diastolic blood pressure (-0.566 vs. -2.311). HIIT (p < 0.04) but not MICT (p > 0.170) produced significant 'gs' for fat mass (-0.245 vs. -0.103), waist circumference (-0.239 vs. -0.116), testosterone (0.339 vs. 0.170), and complex Stroop test (-0.595 vs. -0.250). Increases in the VO2max occurred only in controlled trials after HIIT but not MICT (Q = 6.286, p = 0.012; HITT-g = 1.068, p < 0.0001 vs. MICT-g = 0.109, p= 0.596).

Conclusion: HIIT and MICT produced similar changes in most of the investigated variables. In trials with greater quality (controlled vs. non-controlled trials), cardiorespiratory gains were higher in HIIT vs. MICT. These findings suggest that HIIT might be suitable for improving fitness and health in older adults.

Keywords: Aerobic exercise; Aging; Cardiorespiratory fitness; Continuous exercise; Interval training.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of competing interest Adriano Oliveira, Andressa Fidalgo, Paulo Farinatti, and Walace Monteiro declare that they have no conflicts of interest about the content of this study.

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