%0 Journal Article
%T Effects of high-intensity interval and continuous moderate aerobic training on fitness and health markers of older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
%A Oliveira A
%A Fidalgo A
%A Farinatti P
%A Monteiro W
%J Arch Gerontol Geriatr
%V 124
%N 0
%D 2024 Sep 22
%M 38718488
%F 4.163
%R 10.1016/j.archger.2024.105451
%X <B>BACKGROUND: </B>High-intensity interval training (HIIT) promotes similar or superior gains in physical fitness and health compared to continuous moderate-intensity training (MICT) in young individuals. However, the effectiveness of HIIT in older adults is uncertain.<BR><B>OBJECTIVE: </B>This meta-analysis compared the effects of HIIT and MICT on cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, vascular, metabolic, and hormonal variables, cognitive function, and quality of life in older adults.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science, Scopus, and SportDiscus databases were searched from inception until December 2023. Trials included adults ≥ 60 y. Hedge's effect sizes (g) were calculated and study quality and features of training interventions were tested as moderators.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Twenty-nine trials including 1,227 subjects (65.4 ± 3.3 y). HIIT and MICT elicited significant (p < 0.021) and similar (p > 0.156) 'gs' for VO2max (0.722 vs. 0.490), maximal workload/peak power output ratio (0.290 vs. 0.372),% fat (-0.297 vs. -0.262), glycemia (-0.273 vs. -0.334), systolic (-0.465 vs. -0.341), and diastolic blood pressure (-0.566 vs. -2.311). HIIT (p < 0.04) but not MICT (p > 0.170) produced significant 'gs' for fat mass (-0.245 vs. -0.103), waist circumference (-0.239 vs. -0.116), testosterone (0.339 vs. 0.170), and complex Stroop test (-0.595 vs. -0.250). Increases in the VO2max occurred only in controlled trials after HIIT but not MICT (Q = 6.286, p = 0.012; HITT-g = 1.068, p < 0.0001 vs. MICT-g = 0.109, p= 0.596).<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>HIIT and MICT produced similar changes in most of the investigated variables. In trials with greater quality (controlled vs. non-controlled trials), cardiorespiratory gains were higher in HIIT vs. MICT. These findings suggest that HIIT might be suitable for improving fitness and health in older adults.