Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training on Functional Fit-ness in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 已完成
- 入组人数
- 39
- 试验地点
- 2
- 主要终点
- Number of steps completed in the 2-Minute Step Test
研究概览
简要总结
This study investigated the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on functional fitness in older adults. As people age, they often experience a natural decline in physical abilities such as strength, flexibility, balance, and endurance, which can limit their ability to perform daily activities independently. Finding safe and effective exercise strategies to maintain or improve these abilities is critical for promoting healthy aging and preserving autonomy.
In this study, older adults participated in a structured HIIT program adapted to their functional capacity. HIIT consists of short bursts of intense physical activity followed by periods of active rest. This type of training is known for improving cardiovascular and muscular fitness in a short period of time.
Participants were assessed on various aspects of physical function before, during, and after the intervention. Tests included handgrip strength, upper and lower body strength, flexibility, aerobic endurance, and mobility.
The results showed that HIIT significantly improved physical function in older adults, including increased muscle strength, flexibility, aerobic capacity, and agility. These findings suggest that HIIT can be a safe, efficient, and accessible option to promote health and independence in the aging population.
详细描述
This randomized controlled study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) protocol on functional fitness in community-dwelling older adults. With the global rise in life expectancy and the associated functional decline in aging populations, there is an increasing demand for time-efficient, evidence-based interventions that can promote physical independence and healthy aging.
Participants aged 60 years or older were recruited and assigned to either a HIIT intervention group or a control group. The HIIT group engaged in supervised training sessions three times per week. Each session included a warm-up, a core HIIT segment with short bursts of high-intensity movements interspersed with active recovery, followed by a cool-down. Exercises were adapted to be safe and appropriate for older adults, focusing on full-body functional movements and performed in a group setting under professional supervision.
Functional fitness was evaluated using the Senior Fitness Test battery and handgrip strength testing. This included assessments of:
- Lower body strength (30-second chair stand)
- Upper body strength (arm curl test)
- Lower body flexibility (chair sit-and-reach)
- Upper body flexibility (back scratch test)
- Agility and dynamic balance (Timed Up and Go test)
- Cardiorespiratory endurance (2-minute step test)
- Handgrip strength (digital dynamometer, dominant hand)
Measurements were taken at three time points: pre-intervention (M1), midpoint (M2), and post-intervention (M3). Statistical analysis included nonparametric ANOVA-type models (Brunner-Langer), given the non-normal distribution of many outcome variables.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Randomized
- 干预模型
- Parallel
- 主要目的
- Treatment
- 盲法
- Double (Participant, Investigator)
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 60 Years 至 —（Adult, Older Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 否
入选标准
- •Community-dwelling individuals aged 60 years or older
- •Able to walk independently without assistive devices
- •Sufficient cognitive ability to follow instructions and participate in assessments
- •Medically stable and cleared for physical activity by a healthcare provider
- •No current participation in structured exercise programs
- •Willingness to participate in the intervention and attend scheduled assessments
- •Provided written informed consent
排除标准
- •Individuals younger than 60 years
- •Severe musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, or neurological conditions that contraindicate physical exercise
- •Uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes
- •Recent surgery or hospitalization in the past 6 months
- •Severe visual or auditory impairments that limit test performance
- •Use of mobility aids (e.g., walker or cane for ambulation)
- •Participation in another clinical trial simultaneously
结局指标
主要结局
Number of steps completed in the 2-Minute Step Test
时间窗: Baseline (Week 0), Mid-intervention (Week 33), and Post-intervention (Week 65)
Number of steps completed in the 2-Minute Step Test The 2-Minute Step Test assesses aerobic endurance. Participants are instructed to march in place for two minutes, raising the knees to a target height midway between the kneecap and hip. The number of steps completed with the right knee reaching the target is counted.
次要结局
- Handgrip strength (kg)(Baseline (Week 0), Mid-intervention (Week 33), and Post-intervention (Week 65))
- Upper body strength (Arm Curl Test)(Baseline (Week 0), Mid-intervention (Week 33), and Post-intervention (Week 65))
- Lower body strength (30-Second Chair Stand)(Baseline (Week 0), Mid-intervention (Week 33), and Post-intervention (Week 65))
- Upper body flexibility (Back Scratch Test)(Baseline (Week 0), Mid-intervention (Week 33), and Post-intervention (Week 65))
- Lower body flexibility (Chair Sit-and-Reach Test)(Baseline (Week 0), Mid-intervention (Week 33), and Post-intervention (Week 65))
- Agility and dynamic balance (Timed Up and Go Test - TUG)(Baseline (Week 0), Mid-intervention (Week 33), and Post-intervention (Week 65))
研究者
André Schneider
Principal Investigator
Instituto Politécnico de Bragança