Open AccessEffect of high‐intensity interval training and continuous endurance training on peak oxygen uptake among seniors aged 65 or older: A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Author(s) -
Bouaziz Walid,
Malgoyre Alexandra,
Schmitt Elise,
Lang PierreOlivier,
Vogel Thomas,
Kanagaratnam Lukshe
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
international journal of clinical practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.756
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 1742-1241
pISSN - 1368-5031
DOI - 10.1111/ijcp.13490
Subject(s) - cardiorespiratory fitness , medicine , high intensity interval training , interval training , confidence interval , vo2 max , randomized controlled trial , meta analysis , physical therapy , endurance training , gerontology , heart rate , blood pressure
Background Ageing is intrinsically associated with a progressive decline in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) as measured by peak oxygen uptake (VO 2peak ). Improving CRF through physical activity contribute to better and healthy ageing. High‐intensity interval training (HIIT) is a potent method of improving CRF among seniors, yet comparisons between this type of training and traditional endurance training (ET) are equivocal especially among older adults. Purpose To analyse the effects of HIIT and ET on the VO 2peak of seniors aged 65 years or older when compared with controls and also when the two types of training were compared with one another. Methods A comprehensive, systematic database search for manuscripts was performed in Embase, Medline, PubMed Central, ScienceDirect, Scopus and Web of Science using key words. Two reviewers independently assessed interventional studies for potential inclusion. Fifteen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included totalling 480 seniors aged 65 years or over. Across the trials, no high risk of bias was measured. Results In pooled analysis of the RCTs, the VO 2peak was significantly higher after ET sessions compared with controls (mean difference—MD = 1.35; 95% confidence interval—CI: 0.73–1.96). Furthermore, VO 2peak was found significantly higher not only when compared HIIT with controls (MD = 4.61; 95% CI: 3.21–6.01), but also when compared HIIT with ET (MD = 3.76; 95% CI: 2.96–4.56). Conclusion High‐intensity interval training and ET both elicit large improvements in the VO 2peak of older adults aged 65 or over. When compared with ET, the gain in VO 2peak was greater following HIIT. Nevertheless, further RCTs are therefore needed to confirm our results in senior's population.