Risk of Falls in Healthy Older Adults: Benefits of High-Intensity Interval Training Using Lower Body Suspension Exercises

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) improves functional capacity, muscle power and physical performance in older adults with and without comorbidities. The aim of this study was to explore the effectiveness of HIIT as a method for reducing major fall risk factors (balance, muscle strength and physical activity) in older adults. A systematic literature search was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. A computerized search was conducted using electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, APA PsycInfo, Web of Science, Scopus, PEDro, and AgeLine) published up to July 2021. Eleven papers (9 studies) of moderate quality (mean of 5.5 in Pedro scale) involving 328 healthy older adults met the inclusion criteria. Studies were characterized by high heterogeneity in terms of methodology, HIIT modality and protocol, subject characteristics, and outcome measures. Results indicate that HIIT cannot be recommended as a single modality for fall prevention in older adults due to insufficient data and no consensus among the studies. HIIT appears to be a safe and well-tolerated supplement to proven fall prevention programs, due to its effects on lower limb strength reflected in functional performance tests, and on dynamic balance and subjective balance perception. However, caution is warranted following HIIT, especially after the first session, due to possible temporary instability.

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The effect of 12 weeks of combined upper- and lower-body high-intensity interval training on muscular and cardiorespiratory fitness in older adults

Aging Clinical and Experimental Research ◽

10.1007/s40520-018-1015-9 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 31 (5) ◽

pp. 661-671 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Christopher Hurst ◽

Kathryn L. Weston ◽

Matthew Weston

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽

High Intensity ◽

Interval Training ◽

Lower Body ◽

High Intensity Interval Training ◽

High Intensity Interval

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A pilot study of high-intensity interval training in older adults with treatment naïve chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-02352-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Grace MacDonald ◽

Andrea Sitlinger ◽

Michael A. Deal ◽

Erik D. Hanson ◽

Stephanie Ferraro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Aerobic Capacity ◽

High Intensity ◽

Nk Cell ◽

Interval Training ◽

Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Muscle Endurance ◽

High Intensity Interval Training ◽

Treatment Naïve ◽

High Intensity Interval

AbstractChronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common leukemia in the USA, affecting predominantly older adults. CLL is characterized by low physical fitness, reduced immunity, and increased risk of secondary malignancies and infections. One approach to improving CLL patients’ physical fitness and immune functions may be participation in a structured exercise program. The aims of this pilot study were to examine physical and immunological changes, and feasibility of a 12-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) combined with muscle endurance-based resistance training on older adults with treatment naïve CLL. We enrolled eighteen participants with CLL aged 64.9 ± 9.1 years and assigned them to groups depending on distance lived from our fitness center. Ten participants (4 M/6F) completed HIIT and six participants (4 M/2F) completed a non-exercising control group (Controls). HIIT consisted of three 30-min treadmill sessions/week plus two concurrent 30-min strength training sessions/week. Physical and immunological outcomes included aerobic capacity, muscle strength and endurance, and natural killer (NK) cell recognition and killing of tumor cells. We confirmed feasibility if > 70% of HIIT participants completed > 75% of prescribed sessions and prescribed minutes, and if > 80% of high-intensity intervals were at a heart rate corresponding to at least 80% of peak aerobic capacity (VO2peak). Results are presented as Hedge’s G effect sizes (g), with 0.2, 0.5 and 0.8 representing small, medium and large effects, respectively. Following HIIT, leg strength (g = 2.52), chest strength (g = 1.15) and seated row strength (g = 3.07) were 35.4%, 56.1% and 39.5% higher than Controls, respectively, while aerobic capacity was 3.8% lower (g = 0.49) than Controls. Similarly, following HIIT, in vitro NK-cell cytolytic activity against the K562 cell line (g = 1.43), OSU-CLL cell line (g = 0.95), and autologous B-cells (g = 1.30) were 20.3%, 3.0% and 14.6% higher than Controls, respectively. Feasibility was achieved, with HIIT completing 5.0 ± 0.2 sessions/week and 99 ± 3.6% of the prescribed minutes/week at heart rates corresponding to 89 ± 2.8% of VO2peak. We demonstrate that 12-weeks of supervised HIIT combined with muscle endurance-based resistance training is feasible, and that high adherence and compliance are associated with large effects on muscle strength and immune function in older adults with treatment naïve CLL.Trial registration: NCT04950452.

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Comparison of High-Intensity Interval Training to Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training in Older Adults: A Systematic Review

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity ◽

10.1123/japa.2019-0111 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 28 (5) ◽

pp. 798-807

Author(s):

Christopher J. Keating ◽

Juan Á. Párraga Montilla ◽

Pedro Á. Latorre Román ◽

Rafael Moreno del Castillo

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Older Adults ◽

Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽

High Intensity ◽

Interval Training ◽

Moderate Intensity ◽

High Intensity Interval Training ◽

Continuous Training ◽

Female Population ◽

High Intensity Interval

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is emerging as a safe and effective means to combat chronic diseases. The objective of this work was to perform a systematic review of the effect of HIIT interventions in an aging population. Three electronic databases were searched for randomized trials comparing the effect of HIIT and moderate-intensity continuous training in older adults. After a thorough screening process, 15 articles were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria. All studies expressed a comparable or superior effect of HIIT in cardiorespiratory fitness measures. No studies reported a lessened effect of HIIT in comparison with moderate-intensity continuous training. This systematic review demonstrates that HIIT is a useful exercise regimen, which can be used in older adults to increase cardiorespiratory fitness. More research is needed to determine the effects of HIIT in an aging, predominately female population.

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Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training versus Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training on Cardiac Function in Older Adults

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise ◽

10.1249/01.mss.0000486040.78719.8a ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 48 ◽

pp. 342-343

Author(s):

Chueh-Lung Hwang ◽

Jeung-Ki Yoo ◽

Han-Kyul Kim ◽

Moon-Hyon Hwang ◽

Eileen M. Handberg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cardiac Function ◽

High Intensity ◽

Interval Training ◽

Moderate Intensity ◽

High Intensity Interval Training ◽

Continuous Training ◽

High Intensity Interval

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Increased Brain Glucose Uptake After 12 Weeks of Aerobic High-Intensity Interval Training in Young and Older Adults

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism ◽

10.1210/jc.2017-01571 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 103 (1) ◽

pp. 221-227 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Matthew M Robinson ◽

Val J Lowe ◽

K Sreekumaran Nair

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Glucose Uptake ◽

High Intensity ◽

Brain Metabolism ◽

Control Period ◽

Interval Training ◽

High Intensity Interval Training ◽

Brain Glucose ◽

High Intensity Interval ◽

The Impact

Abstract Context Aerobic exercise training can increase brain volume and blood flow, but the impact on brain metabolism is less known. Objective We determined whether high-intensity interval training (HIIT) increases brain metabolism by measuring brain glucose uptake in younger and older adults. Design Brain glucose uptake was measured before and after HIIT or a sedentary (SED) control period within a larger exercise study. Setting Study procedures were performed at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Participants Participants were younger (18 to 30 years) or older (65 to 80 years) SED adults who were free of major medical conditions. Group sizes were 15 for HIIT (nine younger and six older) and 12 for SED (six younger and six older). Intervention Participants completed 12 weeks of HIIT or SED. HIIT was 3 days per week of 4 × 4 minute intervals at over 90% of peak aerobic capacity (VO2peak) with 2 days per week of treadmill walking at 70% VO2peak. Main Outcome Measures Resting brain glucose uptake was measured using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scans at baseline and at week 12. Scans were performed at 96 hours after exercise. VO2peak was measured by indirect calorimetry. Results Glucose uptake increased significantly in the parietal-temporal and caudate regions after HIIT compared with SED. The gains with HIIT were not observed in all brain regions. VO2peak was increased for all participants after HIIT and did not change with SED. Conclusion We demonstrate that brain glucose metabolism increased after 12 weeks of HIIT in adults in regions where it is reduced in Alzheimer’s disease.

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High-Intensity Interval Training in Older Adults With Treatment Naive Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.1769 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 459-459

Author(s):

David Bartlett ◽

Grace MacDonald ◽

Mike Deal ◽

Erik Hanson ◽

Carl Pieper ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Aerobic Capacity ◽

High Intensity ◽

Interval Training ◽

Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Effect Sizes ◽

High Intensity Interval Training ◽

Treatment Naïve ◽

High Intensity Interval

Abstract Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common leukemia, affecting predominantly older adults. Treatment naïve patients (CLLtn) with low physical fitness have poor survival following commencement of treatment. CLLtn is characterized by inadequate immune functions, increased risk of secondary malignancies and infections. The aims of this study were to determine the feasibility and preliminary effects of 12-weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on CLLtn patients. We enrolled eighteen CLLtn patients (64.9±9.1yrs.). Eleven (5M/6F) were allocated to HIIT and seven (4M/3F) to the control group (CON). HIIT consisted of three 30-minute treadmill sessions/week plus two 30-minute strength training sessions/week. Feasibility was confirmed if >70% of HIIT participants completed >75% of prescribed sessions and prescribed minutes, and if >80% of high-intensity intervals were at a heart rate corresponding to 80% of aerobic capacity (139±19 bpm). Results are presented as mean±SD and effect sizes (d), with 0.2, 0.5 and 0.8 representing small, medium and large effect sizes, respectively. Feasibility was achieved, with HIIT completing 5.0±0.2 sessions/week and 99±3.6% of prescribed minutes/week at 142±19 bpm. No adverse safety events were observed. Compared to CON, HIIT increased leg (d=2.602), chest (d=1.285), and seated row (d=3.323) strength, while aerobic capacity difference between groups was d=0.431. Compared to CON, HIIT increased in vitro natural killer immune cell cytolytic activity against K562 (d=1.586) and OSU-CLL (d=0.917) cancer cell lines, and autologous CLL cells (d=1.362). HIIT is safe and feasible in older adults with CLLtn. Preliminary effects suggest that HIIT increases muscle strength and important components of immune function.

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