One session of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) every 5 days, improves muscle power but not static balance in lifelong sedentary ageing men: A randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Declining muscle power during advancing age predicts falls and loss of independence. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) may improve muscle power, but remains largely unstudied in ageing participants.


METHODS
This randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigated the efficacy of a low-frequency HIIT (LfHIIT) intervention on peak muscle power (peak power output [PPO]), body composition, and balance in lifelong sedentary but otherwise healthy males.


METHODS
Thirty-three lifelong sedentary ageing men were randomly assigned to either intervention (INT; n = 22, age 62.3 ± 4.1 years) or control (n = 11, age 61.6 ± 5.0 years) who were both assessed at 3 distinct measurement points (phase A), after 6 weeks of conditioning exercise (phase B), and after 6 weeks of HIIT once every 5 days in INT (phase C), where control remained inactive throughout the study.


RESULTS
Static balance remained unaffected, and both absolute and relative PPO were not different between groups at phases A or B, but increased significantly in INT after LfHIIT (P < 0.01). Lean body mass displayed a significant interaction (P < 0.01) due to an increase in INT between phases B and C (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
6 weeks of LfHIIT exercise feasible and effective method to induce clinically relevant improvements in absolute and relative PPO, but does not improve static balance in sedentary ageing men.
Institute of Clinical Exercise & Health Sciences, School of Science and Sport, University of the West of Scotland, Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, UK University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Camarthen Campus, Camarthen, Wales, UK Faculty of Health, Federation University Australia, Mt Helen Campus, Mt Helen, Victoria, Australia.
Nicholas F
NF
Sculthorpe
Peter
P
Herbert
Fergal
F
Grace
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D001823:Body Composition; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D000072696:High-Intensity Interval Training / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D057185:Sedentary Behavior