Effect Of Type And Intensity Of Community-based Exercise Interventions In Older Women

Abstract

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of different community-based exercise interventions on hemodynamic and functional variables in older women. METHODS: 33 sedentary or insufficiently active older women (69 ± 5 ys) were randomly assigned to perform a twice-weekly community-based moderate-intensity continuous aerobic training plus resistance training (MICT+RT), high-intensity interval training plus resistance training (HIIT+RT) or resistance training (RT) programs. Anthropometric (weight, height and BMI), hemodynamic (resting blood pressure and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity) and functional variables (seat-and-reach, handgrip, five times sit-to-stand (FTSS), timed up-and-go (TUG), and 6-minute walking (6MW) tests) were assessed before and after 9 months of follow-up. RESULTS: There were no significant difference between groups in any variable at baseline. Anthropometric and hemodynamic variables, as well as seat-and-reach and handgrip did not change during follow-up in any group. However, FTSS, TUG and 6 MW improved (P < 0.05) similarly between groups during follow-up. (Table 1). CONCLUSION: The present preliminary results suggest that twice-weekly community-based exercise programs of different types and intensity are effective to improve functional capacity, but not anthropometric and hemodynamic variables, in older women.Table 1.: Anthropometric, hemodynamic and functional variables before and after 9 month follow-up