Short- and Long-Term Effects on Physical Fitness in Older Adults: Results from an 8-Week Exercise Program Repeated in Two Consecutive Years

Abstract

Introduction: Information on the long-term maintenance of short-term exercise fitness gains measured by field-based tests is scarce in older adults. This study aimed to investigate short- and long-term changes in various physical fitness parameters after an 8-week exercise program. Methods: In this longitudinal study, a total of 265 participants (62% women; mean age 71.4 ± 4.7 years) completed a field-based test battery of 12 fitness tests (22 parameters) at 2 pre-tests and 1 post-test following an 8-week exercise program (2 sessions/week, combining aerobic and strength activities) in 2 consecutive years. The tests assessed muscle endurance, muscle strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, and motor fitness. Results: Significant short-term improvements were observed, e.g., in isometric trunk flexion and extension endurance (21-37%) for both sexes in both years. Lower-body muscular endurance improved in the first year (9-12%) for both sexes, while cardiorespiratory fitness (6-min walk test) improved only for men in both years (3%). No changes were seen in submaximal cycle test heart rates or any balance tests in any year. Most fitness parameters did not significantly decrease during the 9-month inter-intervention period, with a few exceptions in trunk strength and walking distance. Conclusions: This study demonstrates physical fitness improvements in older adults following short-term exercise interventions and that some of these improvements were maintained long term, whereas a few of these physical fitness test improvements decreased significantly over 9 months in older adults.

Keywords: cardiorespiratory fitness; elderly; exercise; motor fitness; physiological capacity; strength; test-retest.

Figure 1

Schematic description of the study design.

Figure 2

The images illustrate the field fitness tests studied: isometric trunk flexion endurance (45° in the hip joint); (1), isometric trunk extension endurance (2), 50 sit-to-stands (50 sit-to-stand speed; number of successful chair-bounces (n out of 50)); 30-s sit-to-stand; (3), alternating shoulder presses (4), five sit-to-stands (sitting on chair between each stand-up); (5), maximal step-height test (MST), left and right leg, respectively (6), handgrip strength (left and right); (7), 6-min walk test (6MWT); (8), Ekblom-Bak cycle ergometer test (measuring HR (heart rate) during two workloads); (9), time-up-and-go (TUG; 10), stand-and-reach (11), and one-leg standing balance test (left and right, open and closed eyes); (12). Figure from Godhe et al., 2024, in the journal Gerontology [21].

Figure 3

Mean values (with 95% CI) for muscle endurance tests for men and women in absolute values (A–F). For significant changes, see Table 2.

Figure 4

Mean values (with 95% CI) for muscle strength tests for men and women in absolute values (A–E). For significant changes, see Table 2.

Figure 5

Mean values (with 95% CI) for cardiorespiratory fitness tests for men and women in absolute values (A–C). For significant changes, see Table 2.

Figure 6

Mean values (with 95% CI) for motor fitness tests for men and women in absolute values (A–H). For significant changes, see Table 2.