Twelve Weeks of High-Intense Interval Training Enhance the Neuromuscular and Cardiorespiratory Performance of Elderly

Exercise is an effective non-pharmacological intervention for the enhancement of neuromuscular and cardiorespiratory health. In particular, High-Intense Intermittent Training (HIIT) has been implicated in health management; however, in specific populations such as the elderly, is needed more investigations.

The aim is to determine the impact of HIIT in the neuromuscular and cardiorespiratory fitness of the elderly.

Thirty-two elderly volunteers, 71.0 ± 2.1 years, were randomly divided into two groups, control (CG) (n = 16), that did not participate in any interventions, and experimental (EG) (n = 16) that participated in a 12-week exercise program based on HIIT 3 times a week, and 40 minutes by a meeting. Both groups were subjected before and after the intervention period to neuromuscular and cardiorespiratory testing, and monthly were clinically evaluated by a Physician.

No orthopaedic events were reported to both groups, and the CG showed no enhancement to all variables. The EG, muscular endurance of the upper limbs was enhanced (p <0.0001), as was muscular endurance of the lower limbs (p <0.0001), localized muscular endurance of abdominal muscles (p <0.0001), lower limb muscle power (p <0.0001) and aerobic power (p <0.0001). There were no adverse events during or after the intervention period.

HIIT is an effective strategy to promote enhancement of neuromuscular and cardiorespiratory fitness in the elderly and showed safe because no orthopaedic and cardiovascular events were reported.