The Effect of Novel High-intensity Interval Training on Physical Fitness in Older Adults

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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High-intensity interval training (HIT) has been demonstrated to be an effective strategy to improve markers of health and fitness across a wide range of healthy and clinical populations. Currently however, there is only limited evidence which has examined the effectiveness of HIT in older adults (>50 years). HIT is an appealing strategy in this group as it has the potential to impact both cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness, which both play an important role in maintaining functional fitness and quality of life in a time-efficient manner. Developing an understanding of novel strategies for delivering this type of exercise training may ultimately provide a viable alternative to traditional modes of exercise training for a broader range of participants. As such, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of a novel, high-intensity interval training exercise protocol to improve physical fitness in adults aged over 50 years. This research also aims to evaluate if this type of training intervention is feasible in this population, through analysis of adherence and intervention fidelity.

Conditions
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High-intensity Interval Training

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Novel high-intensity interval training


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Must be aged 50-85 years Must be able to provide informed consent to participate Must be free from all exclusion criteria Exclusion Criteria: Symptoms of or known presence of heart disease of major atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease Early family history of sudden cardiac death Condition or injury or co-morbidity affecting the ability to undertake exercise Diabetes mellitus Pregnancy or likelihood of pregnancy

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 50 Years
Maximum Age: 85 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Intervention<br>Participants will undertake a high-intensity interval training intervention, completing two exercise sessions per week for 12 weeks. The exercise sessions will consist of 4 sets of 4-6 repetitions of 60s (45s high-intensity exercise, followed by 15s rest), interspersed with 3 minutes rest. During each exercise repetition participants will be encouraged to reach >90% of their maximal heart rate. | Other: Novel high-intensity interval training<br> <br> |
| No Intervention: Control<br>Participants will not undertake any formal intervention and will be asked to maintain their usual physical activity habits and diet. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in lower body muscular power | Assessed via Nottingham Leg Extensor Power Rig | Baseline and following exercise training (12 weeks) | 
| Change in Aerobic fitness | Assessed via Chester step test | Baseline and following exercise training (12 weeks) | 
| Change in upper extremity muscular strength | Hand grip strength assessed using handheld dynamometer | Baseline and following exercise training (12 weeks) | 
| Change in quality of life | Assessed via Short form quality of life questionnaire (SF36) | Baseline and following exercise training (12 weeks) | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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High-intensity interval training, Functional fitness, Quality of life, Older adults