title: Sprint Interval Training in Older Adults
title: Recovery, Acute Effects, and Training Adaptations
titleType: Subtitle
Creators: name: Yasar, Zerbu
Publisher: name: Lancaster University
Year: 2023

description: Rationale &amp; Introduction: 
 
 Human ageing is presently characterised by an unavoidable biological
 ageing process following maturation, which occurs in the 2nd decade of
 life. Consequently, a decline in overall human functioning is observed.
 However, this process can be skewed to decelerate the ageing process and
 increase human functioning with the adoption of lifestyle changes. The
 focus of this thesis was to analyse the relevance of physical activity and
 its effects on markers of physical functioning and investigate the
 physiological and practical efficacy of high-intensity interval training
 (HIIT), and more specifically sprint interval training (SIT) as a method
 of improving 
 
 physical functioning in ageing cohorts.
 
 
 Studies Overview: 
 
 A systematic review meta-analysis was conducted with a focus on the
 physiological outcomes of HIIT interventions in older people. Study one
 investigated the peak power output recovery following 3 and 5 days of rest
 following SIT. Study two compared the physiological, psychological, and
 perceptive responses to SIT in three distinct modes: static sprinting,
 cycle 
 
 ergometry, and box stepping. Study three investigated the effects of an 8
 week SIT intervention in older adults on aerobic capacity, hemodynamics,
 and muscle power. 
 
 
 Results: 
 
 Systematic review meta-analysis) HIIT interventions were found to have a
 positive effect on aerobic capacity (standard difference in means [SDM] =
 0.74)), muscle power (SDM = 1.13), muscle strength (SDM = 0.19), and lean
 body mass (SDM = 0.17), and a negative effect on body fat (SDM = -0.30).
 Study 1) The findings suggest that older individuals recover
 similarlybetween 3 and 5 five days of rest following SIT with a small
 effect (p = 0.702, n2p = 0.022).
 
 Study 2) The findings of study two indicate that static sprinting and the
 cycle ergometer modes are likely more suitable to providing the
 physiological stimulus required to instigate adaptations to SIT. A medium
 effect of exercise mode for peak oxygen uptake (VȮ̇̇̇2peak) was observed
 (n2=0.213, p=0.091), a large effect was observed for peak blood lactate
 (BLapeak) between exercise modes (n
 
 2=0.712, p&lt;0.001), a large effect was observed for peak rating of
 perceived 
 
 exertion (RPE) between exercise modes (n2=0.390, p=0.007), and a medium
 effect was observed for the PACES (Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale)
 total between exercise modes (n2=0.255, p=0.052). Study 3) The results of
 study three suggest that SIT is effective at improving aerobic capacity,
 hemodynamic function, and muscle power. There was a small effect of time
 on body 
 
 mass index (BMI; p=0.210, n2=0.122), a small effect of time on systolic
 blood pressure (p=0.111, n2=0.167), a medium effect of time on diastolic
 blood pressure (p=0.027, n2=0.260), a large effect of time on mean
 arterial pressure (p=0.027, n2=0.260), no effect of time on resting heart
 rate (p=0.578, n2=0.045), a medium effect of time on peak heart rate
 (HRpeak; p=0.032, n2=0.250), no effect of time on postural sway (p=0.258,
 n2=0.107), a large effect of time on muscle power measured by the Herbert
 6s peak power output (PPO) test (p=0.018, n2=0.517), a large effect of
 time on countermovement jump power (p=0.008, n2=0.332), a large effect of
 time on countermovement jump height (p=0.004, n2=0.370), a small effect of
 time on V̇̇ O2max (p=0.017, 
 
 n2=0.137), no effect of time on O2 pulse (p=0.289, n2=0.009), a medium
 effect of time on theanaerobic threshold (AT) as a percentage of V̇̇ O2max
 (AT % @ V̇̇ O2max) (p=0.035, n2=0.243), and a medium effect of time on
 power at V̇̇ O2max (p=0.010, n2=0.292).
 
 
 Conclusion:
 
 The systematic review meta-analysis observed increased aerobic capacity,
 muscle power, muscle strength, lean body mass, and decreased fat mass with
 HIIT in older adults. However, the low number of studies reduces the
 reliability of findings. Peak power output recovery in older adults is
 similar at 3- and 5-days following SIT. SIT performed as different
 exercise modes (static 
 
 sprinting, cycle ergometer, box stepping) result in different
 physiological, psychological, and perceptive responses. Static sprinting
 SIT performed twice a week over 8 weeks improves aerobic capacity, muscle
 power, and hemodynamic function in already physically active older adults.