Effects of High-Intensity Interval Walking on Cognitive and Physical Functions in Older Adults: A Randomized Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND

Walking is widely recognized as a prevalent form of daily exercise worldwide. However, fewer studies have explored the health outcomes of different intensities of walking exercise for older adults. Thus, the study aimed to investigate the effects of walking at different exercise intensities on body composition, emotions, cognition, and physical function among older adults.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the effects of walking at different exercise intensities on body composition, emotions, cognition, and physical function after eight weeks of group walking. Specifically, the study focused on the potential benefits of high-intensity interval walking (HIIW), exploring whether HIIW could have a more positive impact on the physical function and overall health of older adults compared to moderate-intensity continuous walking (MICW).

METHODS

Participants aged 65 years or older were randomly assigned to either HIIW (n=13, 85% HRmax and 55% HRmax, alternating every three minutes) or MICW (n=13, 70% HRmax), engaging in group walking exercises for 30 minutes three times a week. The pre-test and post-test evaluations included body composition, cognition, emotions, and physical function.

RESULTS

The two-minute step test showed significant improvements over time (<0.0001) and time-group interaction (=0.004), and sit and reach showed significant changes over time (<0.0001). The independent T-test showed significant differences between the HIIW and MICW groups (two-minute step test: t (24)=1.80, =0.04; sit and reach test: t (19)=3.65, <0.001) at post-measurement. Additionally, no significant differences were found in body composition (weight, =0.74; body mass index (BMI), =0.35; body fat mass, =0.45; skeletal muscle mass (SMM), =0.77), emotions (geriatric depression scale (GDS), =0.79; quality of life (QOL), =0.54; Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, =0.24), and cognitive function (CoSAS total score, =0.25) between the HIIW and MICW groups after exercise. Grip strength, balance, 30-second chair stand, back scratch, and eight-foot up and go tests showed no significant effects in the time-group interaction.

CONCLUSION

Regular HIIW exercise has positive effects on physical functions such as cardiorespiratory endurance and flexibility in older adults, indicating the potential for establishing a foundation for developing customized exercise programs in the future.