High-Intensity Exercise in Older Adults

N/ACompletedNCT06199661

University of California, Berkeley4 enrolled

Overview

The goal of this interventional study was to test the high-intensity interval training called Aphasia Physical Exercise (APEX) in healthy older adults. The main questions it aimed to answer were: 1. what is the safety and feasibility of APEX? 2. what are APEX's acute physiological effects? 3. what is APEX's effects on functional fitness? 4. what is APEX's effects on cognition? Participants underwent: * Baseline testing session (#1) with cognitive measures only (a week before the Pre-exercise session); * Pre-exercise session (#2) with maximum oxygen consumption and heart rate assessment, functional fitness and cognitive measures (3-7 days before the start of the exercise program); * APEX program, two APEX classes per week for four weeks (eight classes in total); * Post-exercise session (#3), functional fitness and cognitive measures, (0-2 days after the end of the exercise program).

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Functional Fitness Cognitive Abilities

Interventions

Three phases: warm-up, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) phase, cool-down. A 10-minute warm-up included deep breathing meditation and dynamic joint mobility exercises. Then, a 40-minute strength and balance workout in HIIT format with five different high-intensity (HI) exercises interspersed with five different postural stability recovery exercises. The HI intervals focused on enhancing cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, and motor performance. The recovery intervals incorporated balance and mobility exercises. The HI exercises lasted 30 seconds for the first three weeks and then increased to 45 seconds in the fourth week while the recovery exercises lasted 60 seconds throughout the entire intervention. The HIIT phase was repeated three times in the 40 minute block. Lastly, a 10-minute cooldown consisting of standing and seated exercises similar to the warm-up.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 50 YearsMax age: 80 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Between the ages of 50 and 80 * Ambulatory and community-dwelling * Able to travel to University of San Francisco for weekly exercise classes * No serious underlying health or neurological conditions Exclusion Criteria: * Inability to complete physical function assessment or inability to do a chair stand without using hands * Use of antidiabetic medications * Use of testosterone supplement or replacement * Clinical disorder precluding/interfering with participation or assessments (identified by Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q+)), including: unstable angina, arrhythmia, uncontrolled hypertension, end stage renal disease on hemodialysis, lower extremity amputation or paralysis, neurological conditions causing functional or pronounced cognitive impairments, active malignancy except for non-melanomatous skin cancers * Previous neurological history such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, long-term pre-stroke seizures, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, etc. * Unable to provide consent

Locations (1)

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, California, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Attendance Rate

The number of classes attended out of eight total classes.

Time frame: 4 weeks during intervention

Heart Rate

Heart rate measured in beats per minute.

Time frame: 4 weeks during intervention

Functional Reach Test Distance

The distance in inches of an individual's forward reach with one arm while maintaining a standing position with feet flat on the floor at hip width.

Time frame: Once 3-7 days before start of intervention and once 0-2 days after end of intervention

Timed Up-And-Go Time

The number of seconds for an individual to rise from a seated position, walk eight feet, turn around, and return to a seated position.

Time frame: Once 3-7 days before start of intervention and once 0-2 days after end of intervention

Number of Steps in 2-minute Step Test

The number of right knee raises completed in two minutes while marching in place and raising each knee to a point midway between the patella (kneecap) and iliac crest (top hip bone).

Time frame: Once 3-7 days before start of intervention and once 0-2 days after end of intervention

Number of Repetitions in 30-Second Chair Stand Test

The number of sit-to-stands completed in 30 seconds on a standard 17" seat-height chair with arms folded across the chest.

Time frame: Once 3-7 days before start of intervention and once 0-2 days after end of intervention

Visual Search Task Accuracy

Number of correct trials