Performance and Recovery of Well-Trained Younger and Older Athletes during Different HIIT Protocols

Relation between skin temperature and muscle stiffness in masters athletes: Effect of specific training adaptation

Aging process is correlated with negative changes in muscles properties such as their thermal responsiveness and stiffness. At the same time masters athletes are often considered as an exemplars of successful aging. Taking this into account, the aim of the study was to establish thermal portrait of lower limbs in Masters Athletes in Track & Field competing in 200 m race as well as to find out the effect of exercise on muscle stiffness. Thermal images and myotonometry were applied at restin state and immediately after the race. Indoor sprint in Masters athletes did not cause significant skin temperature changes. Only assymetries were found for Biceps femoris muscle (left vs right before p = 0,0410; after p = 0,046). Gastrocnemius was the most responsive area for sprinting in terms of muscle stiffness. Some specific adaptations to sprint were found. Masters athlete's thermal profile of lower extremities was generally characterized by symmetry. Maximal exertion did not result in an increase in muscle stiffness among the athletes, suggesting the positive influence of sports training in aging athletes.

The potential benefits of assessing post-cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in aging: a narrative review

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is an important tool to measure the cardiopulmonary fitness of an individual and has been widely used in athletic, clinical and research settings. Most CPET focus on analyzing physiological responses during exercise. We contend that the post-CPET recovery physiological responses offer further diagnostic and prognostic information about the health of the cardiopulmonary and metabolic systems, especially when testing apparently healthy middle-aged and older adults. However, there are limited studies that investigate physiological responses during the post-CPET recovery, and even less so in middle-aged and older adults. Therefore, this current review is aimed at discussing the contribution of post-CPET recovery parameters to cardiopulmonary health and their potential applications in aging populations. In addition to the existing methods, we propose to examine the aerobic and anaerobic recovery threshold post-CPET as novel potential diagnostic and/or prognostic tools.

Effects of a High-Intensity Interval Physical Exercise Program on Cognition, Physical Performance, and Electroencephalogram Patterns in Korean Elderly People: A Pilot Study

Background and Purpose

The effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) interventions on functional brain changes in older adults remain unclear. This preliminary study aimed to explore the effect of physical exercise intervention (PEI), including HIIT, on cognitive function, physical performance, and electroencephalogram patterns in Korean elderly people.

Methods

We enrolled six non-dementia participants aged >65 years from a community health center. PEI was conducted at the community health center for 4 weeks, three times/week, and 50 min/day. PEI, including HIIT, involved aerobic exercise, resistance training (muscle strength), flexibility, and balance. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for data analysis.

Results

After the PEI, there was improvement in the 30-second sit-to-stand test result (16.2±7.0 times vs. 24.8±5.5 times, p=0.027), 2-minute stationary march result (98.3±27.2 times vs. 143.7±36.9 times, p=0.027), T-wall response time (104.2±55.8 seconds vs.71.0±19.4 seconds, p=0.028), memory score (89.6±21.6 vs. 111.0±19.1, p=0.028), executive function score (33.3±5.3 vs. 37.0±5.1, p=0.046), and total Literacy Independent Cognitive Assessment score (214.6±30.6 vs. 241.6±22.8, p=0.028). Electroencephalography demonstrated that the beta power in the frontal region was increased, while the theta power in the temporal region was decreased (all p<0.05).

Conclusions

Our HIIT PEI program effectively improved cognitive function, physical fitness, and electroencephalographic markers in elderly individuals; thus, it could be beneficial for improving functional brain activity in this population.